LEGALISE CANNABIS POLICY FEATURES IN ELECTION FRAY

A BRAINTREE environmentalist has announced he will he standing as a
candidate at the General Election - on cannabis legalisation platform.

Buster Nolan, 51, of Great Bardfield, will stand as a candidate for
the Legalise Cannabis Alliance in the Braintree constituency.

Mr Nolan stood as a candidate for the New Millennium New Way Party at
the 1997 General Election and gained 274 votes.

Mr Nolan said: "I believe the planting of cannabis hemp with tree
planting programs the UK would restore vitality and jobs in local
communities."

The Legalise Cannabis Alliance was registered as a political party in
March 1999, calling for legalising of cannabis because of it's medical
properties and the role the plant would play in cleaning the
environment.

The party has so far fielded 14 candidates contesting constituencies
across the country, including seats in Norwich London and five seats
in Edinburgh

Party officers say a cannabis leaf, one of the party emblems, will be
appearing on ballot papers.

Prospective parliamentary candidates already announced for Braintree
constituency are Brooks Newark (Con), Peter Turner (Lib Dem) and James
Abbott (Green). Braintree MP Alan Hurst will (Lab) contest his seat.