Pubdate: Sat, 17 Jan 2015
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Authors: Peter O'Neil and Tracy Sherlock
Page: A7

LIBERALS DENY JODIE EMERY'S CANDIDACY

Party's 'Green Light' Committee Didn't Say Why They Wouldn't Let Her Name Stand

Jodie Emery, the wife of controversial marijuana legalization 
activist Marc (Prince of Pot) Emery, will not be a Liberal candidate 
in the next federal election.

The party's "green-light" committee sent Emery an email on Friday 
afternoon that it would not be recommending her as a nomination candidate.

"I am disappointed I won't be on the ballot, but I do respect their 
decision," Emery said, adding that the committee did not give their 
reasons in the email and she didn't ask for further details.

Party rules give the committee "unfettered discretion" to determine 
"whether it is in the best political interests of the party" to 
approve the candidate.

Emery is an activist for pot legalization and has run for the B.C. 
Marijuana Party and the B.C. Green party.

"I am mostly known for marijuana legalization, but I've always 
emphasized that marijuana legalization means job creation, it means 
saving billions in tax dollars that are being spent on law 
enforcement, prisons and policing that could be spent elsewhere," 
Emery said. "There are a lot of issues related to marijuana 
legalization that aren't just about getting high."

Party spokesman Olivier Duchesneau said that the Liberals are 
committed to open nominations, but that doesn't mean anyone can have 
their name on the ballot at the nomination meeting.

"We have always said that candidates need to follow a rigorous 
process and that they need approval from our green-light committee to 
go forward. Canadians are expecting a high level of diligence and 
rigorousness from the party during the process. The important thing 
is that everyone is treated fairly during the process and I can 
reassure you that is the case," Duchesneau said.

Emery said she decided to try for the nomination about a year ago, 
when the Vancouver East Riding was a "no-hope" riding for the 
Liberals because longtime NDP MP Libby Davies was so popular. 
However, since Davies announced she would not seek re-election, "the 
stakes are very high in Vancouver East. That's very different from 
when I intended to run initially."

She said she is still encouraging people to vote and that she will 
continue to support the Liberal party.

"I am receiving a lot of messages of support from many people who are 
deeply disappointed," Emery said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom