POT PARTY LOOKS TO GROW

The B.C. Marijuana Party wants to branch out and field candidates in every
constituency for the coming provincial election.

The party has placed advertisements in regional newspapers across B.C. to
attract candidates.

It is led by Brian Taylor, a former mayor of Grand Forks.

"We trying to get everyday people, just normal people who lead normal lives
and shouldn't be treated as convicts because of their medicinal or
recreational choices," said Christina Racki, a party candidate in Saanich
North and the Islands.

The party has found about 35 candidates to run so far. It does not have
candidates for the Kamloops or Kamloops-North Thompson constituencies.

"We're hoping to have all 79 ridings covered," she said.

While the party is focused on decriminalization of marijuana use and
eventual legalization of the drug, Racki said members also believe strongly
in the theme of personal freedoms.

"We believe in the right to choose ? freedom of choice," she said. "There's
quite a few libertarian people on hand. It's about our freedoms. We need a
voice for people whose freedoms are being wiped out."

Party policies include passing on savings from reduced prison and policing
costs from legalized marijuana by cutting taxes; citizen-led referenda; a
voucher system for schools; and legalizing licensed brothels.

Racki said she stopped voting a decade ago because of feelings of futility
with the political status quo before becoming involved with the Marijuana
party.

"I don't think (B.C. Liberals or NDP) are pot friendly. They're all led by
the United Nations-United States war on drugs attitude."