MARIJUANA PARTY LIGHTS UP THE RACE

HALIFAX - The fifth party to join the race was slow getting started,
but the Marijuana Party announced Friday it has one candidate
campaigning in the election.

Jene Prudy, who is running in the district in Antigonish, is
advocating the legalization of marijuana.

The party is hopeful nine other candidates will come forward in the
next week.

Melanie Stephen-Patriquen, the party's agent, says people shouldn't be
persecuted over a plant.

"I think people need to get focused on the bigger issues which are
health care and secondary education for our youth. I believe we have
to enlighten as many people as possible," she says.

Stephen-Patriquen is married to the leader of the Marijuana Party who
is serving time in a federal prison on a drug-related conviction.

She doesn't think people will shy away from the party because her
husband is in jail.