News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: Marijuana Party Leadership In Haze |
| Title: | CN BC: Marijuana Party Leadership In Haze |
| Published On: | 2001-06-13 |
| Source: | Grand Forks Gazette (CN BC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-25 17:05:49 |
MARIJUANA PARTY LEADERSHIP IN HAZE
Brian Taylor has handed over the reins as the leader of the B.C.
Marijuana Party, though at this point there's no one around to grab
them.
From his home in Grand Forks, he told the Gazette last week that he
was not happy with the direction party president Marc Emery wants to
take the group. Taylor's resignation was effective as of June 6.
One of the main sticking points is Emery's wish to set up a chain of
compassion clubs throughout the province using the party as a
vehicle, even without the legal avenue to do so. Taylor also said
Emery was running the party in an authoritarian manner, though he
concedes that the president has done the majority of the legwork and
provided the money to get the party off the ground.
Taylor's view is that the party should work on medicinal marijuana
issues within the legislative system, as opposed to the court system.
He points to the support from voters as evidence of this.
"They voted for a different way of doing government," he said.
When asked about his own history of civil disobedience, such as his
unauthorized growing of hemp, Taylor responded that this action he
took simply on his own behalf, not on the behalf of a group such as a
political party.
As it stands, Emery plans to open up a half dozen locations handling
the distribution of medicinal marijuana by the fall. By the end of
2002, he is hoping to have at least 25 established.
"The party's job is to legalize marijuana in any way possible," he
said Friday afternoon. "It's certainly consistent with our mandate."
The party president says there are no plans to replace Taylor as
leader for the meantime, as the party's time will be spent on setting
up the clubs, although Emery did leave open the possibility of Taylor
returning to the fold.
"Brian would always be welcome back," he said.
At this point Taylor appears headed in a different direction, as he
and some 15 to 20 other Marijuana candidates have plans to establish
a new party in the near future with a platform similar to the B.C.
Marijuana Party's.
Brian Taylor has handed over the reins as the leader of the B.C.
Marijuana Party, though at this point there's no one around to grab
them.
From his home in Grand Forks, he told the Gazette last week that he
was not happy with the direction party president Marc Emery wants to
take the group. Taylor's resignation was effective as of June 6.
One of the main sticking points is Emery's wish to set up a chain of
compassion clubs throughout the province using the party as a
vehicle, even without the legal avenue to do so. Taylor also said
Emery was running the party in an authoritarian manner, though he
concedes that the president has done the majority of the legwork and
provided the money to get the party off the ground.
Taylor's view is that the party should work on medicinal marijuana
issues within the legislative system, as opposed to the court system.
He points to the support from voters as evidence of this.
"They voted for a different way of doing government," he said.
When asked about his own history of civil disobedience, such as his
unauthorized growing of hemp, Taylor responded that this action he
took simply on his own behalf, not on the behalf of a group such as a
political party.
As it stands, Emery plans to open up a half dozen locations handling
the distribution of medicinal marijuana by the fall. By the end of
2002, he is hoping to have at least 25 established.
"The party's job is to legalize marijuana in any way possible," he
said Friday afternoon. "It's certainly consistent with our mandate."
The party president says there are no plans to replace Taylor as
leader for the meantime, as the party's time will be spent on setting
up the clubs, although Emery did leave open the possibility of Taylor
returning to the fold.
"Brian would always be welcome back," he said.
At this point Taylor appears headed in a different direction, as he
and some 15 to 20 other Marijuana candidates have plans to establish
a new party in the near future with a platform similar to the B.C.
Marijuana Party's.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
