POT ADVOCATE READY FOR MAYORAL RACE

WEST NIPISSING, Ont. - A marijuana advocate says he expects to be
released from jail in time to campaign to become mayor of this
northeastern Ontario town.

Speaking from a North Bay, Ont., jail, Michel Ethier said Wednesday
he has no plans to withdraw from the race even if he is the only
candidate challenging incumbent Joanne Savage.

"I have no intention of throwing in the towel," said Ethier, who is
awaiting trial for marijuana related offences. "If she wants to pull
out ... that's fine with me."

With acclamations expected in each of the community's seven wards,
some residents have said Ethier should withdraw because it could cost
the municipality as much as $50,000 for a mayoral campaign that most
voters won't take seriously.

Savage said she would never suggest anyone should be forced to
withdraw from an election campaign.