CANDIDATE PROFILES: LOEHNDORF CONTINUES CRUSADE

In The Days Leading Up To The Provincial Election, The Daily News Will Be
Profiling The Five Candidates Running In The Nelson-Creston Riding. Today's
Profile Is The Second Of Five.

Staying true to the cause keeps Dan Loehndorf's political intentions pure,
says the 34-year-old Marijuana Party candidate.

He believes this is a good quality to look for in a candidate because
driven by what's best for others rather than his own interests.

"I don't have any other reason to run. I am not getting any kickback on
anything and I am not making any money on this," he says. "Others might say
'well we're for lower taxes' and really what they're hiding is that they
have a whole bunch of corporate backers they are trying to find preferences
for."

And Loehndorf's not willing to compromise, something that could make it
harder for someone like him to attain a seat in the legislature. Even so,
the idealist has his sights set high and plans to achieve his goals through
his own efforts.

"It is kind of like swimming in Kootenay Lake over there," he says from a
Gyro park perch overlooking Nelson. "And you were stuck in the middle and
you didn't think you would make it to shore and someone said I can help
you. I can give you this dingy but it is coated in poison. If you hold on
to it, eventually you will die. I see politics like that poison doughnut
that brings you to shore ... I don't think there is any other way. You just
have to swim for it."

Loehndorf has been involved in some kind of marijuana activism or another
for 10 years.

The writer for Cannabis Culture magazine is also known as Reverend Damuzi
in the Church of the Universe. Loehndorf hosts both television and radio
shows and is the co-director of the local compassion club.

He was a natural candidate for the marijuana party because it's something
he knows a lot about including its relation to other political issues like
forestry, trade, health and civil liberties. It's something he can speak on.

"I feel that I am best qualified in this area to run on that platform and
to educate people as much as possible," Loehndorf says. "I feel it is my
responsibility because the marijuana issue really is central to so many
problems we experience in society ... There are so many important topics
and issues out there but no matter where I am focussing my activism and
public education efforts, marijuana will always play a part."

Still, Loehndorf hasn't always been willing to speak out on what he
believes is important. He had to confront his apprehension about stepping
into the public arena.

"There is just a general fear of stepping outside the boundaries of what is
considered conventional. But it is an empty fear," he says.

Loehndorf was born just outside of Vancouver. His father is a school
teacher and the candidate describes his parents as being conservative when
compared to him. He says he's had long debates with his father over
marijuana issues. While they don't always agree with their son's platforms,
his parents are supportive of him as a son.

Most of his upbringing was on a hobby farm outside Prince George but
Loehndorf has a feel for city life as well.

"I've lived right in the centre of Vancouver, in the busiest parts and I've
lived way out in the middle of no where in cabins and farm houses. I think
I have a real feeling for B.C. and the people who live here," he says.

Loehndorf has been in Nelson for nine months and came here for the beauty
of the landscape as well as the artistic and political awareness of people
in the community.

He got into politics and ran in the federal election last fall. As he now
runs provincially,

Loehndorf says he sees more people supporting him this round. People are
sick of the choices they have and thinks there is a real opportunity for an
alternative party candidate to head to Victoria.

"I think people are going to be really surprised about what will happen in
the voting here in the Nelson-Creston electoral district," he says.