MARIJUANA PARTY PLANS TO FIELD CANDIDATE IN KAMLOOPS

A few weeks ago, Vern Falk was surfing the Internet when he came across the
BC Marijuana Party website.

He scanned its philosophies, analyzed its beliefs and, just like that,
threw himself into politics.

"I guess I was like-minded with the party. I've never been very interested
in politics. I've been of the mind not to vote ... you're just encouraging
(politicians)."

He won't be thinking this way any longer.

The 50-year-old grandfather will run for the party against Kamloops-North
Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger and New Democratic Party candidate Dwayne Hartle
in the upcoming provincial election.

His campaign will focus on personal freedoms and the decriminalization of
marijuana for medicinal purposes.

"There are people who probably should not smoke marijuana," Falk says,
admitting "yes, the emperor wears no clothes," if you catch his drift.

"You should be able to make up your own mind."

He argues the government wastes millions of dollars trying to bring down
pot smokers and growers and this directly encourages organized crime to tap
into the market.

Falk says he'll campaign on environmental issues as well as argue the
expansion of the hemp industry could save forests and other natural resources.

He heads to Vancouver for the party's convention this weekend before
registering with Elections BC and then fund-raising.

A recycling consultant and construction worker, Falk has lived in Kamloops
25 years and expects to poise a serious threat to the incumbent Liberal MLA.

"I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think people would take me seriously.
This is a serious thing."