DISSENT HITS B.C. MARIJUANA PARTY AFTER NEW JOB GIVEN TO FORMER ALLIANCE AIDE

EDMONTON (CP) - The hiring of a former Canadian Alliance aide appears to
have stoked the fires of dissent in the Marijuana Party of British Columbia.

Meaghan Walker-Williams, the pot party's candidate in the riding of
Cowichan-Ladysmith, announced this week she was quitting because she
couldn't tolerate working with Matthew Johnston.

Johnston was fired from the Alliance for impersonating his boss Edmonton MP
Rahim Jaffer last month on a national radio program.

Johnston was hired last Thursday as Marijuana Party president Mark Emery's
campaign co-chairman.

"I can't stand liars," Walker-Williams said in a news release.

"I will not be associated with any organization that aids, abets or gives
credence to a liar."

Johnston said Tuesday he is sorry to see Walker-Williams go, but insisted
he doesn't feel he's jinxing his new bosses.

"I'm getting tremendous support from our candidates," he said. "I'm being
looked upon as someone who's bringing legitimacy and experience to the party."

Party brass agreed.

"Meaghan didn't fit in all that well anyway," said party leader Brian
Taylor. "We shouldn't have a problem (replacing her)."