POT PARTY COMES TO COWICHAN-LADYSMITH

Larry Kunz became the B.C. Marijuana Party candidate in the
Cowichan-Ladysmith riding almost by accident.

Kunz, 41, who currently lives in Port Alberni, has been involved in the
hemp movement since attending a Hemp Fest in Nelson, in 1993, after which
he became a hemp minister in the Assembly of the Church of the Universe.

The aspiring writer got involved with the Marijuana Party after making a
simple phone call to ask for more information.

He said the party asked if he'd be interested in running on the north
Island and he accepted.

When Meaghan Walker-Williams withdrew as the party's candidate in
Cowichan-Ladysmith, Kunz was asked to replace her, since it was closer to
his home.

Kunz, who admits to having no previous political experience or even
aspirations toward public office, said the B.C. Marijuana Party platform
covers all the issues, but always comes back to one key concept: legalizing
cannabis and hemp.

"That's the number one issue," he said, "then all the other things are
going to happen."

By legalizing the production of marijuana and hemp, Kunz maintains the
government could dramatically increase revenue through taxation on
commercial hemp and marijuana production, as well as through saving the
millions of dollars spent to fight the war on marijuana.

He also argues that unemployment would drop due to the labour needed to
plant and harvest hemp, while hemp production would provide fibre to
operate mills.

Kunz believes his party can win at least one or two seats in the May 16
general election, but also said presenting options for voters is important.