Copyright: 2006 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Contact: letters@leaderpost.canwest.com
Website: http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Sarah MacDonald, Saskatchewan News Service; CanWest News Service
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

PARTY HELPING SELF ALONG WITH COMMUNITY

SASKATOON -- With a cannabis leaf flag flapping and the sounds of the
jazz festival in the background, the Saskatchewan Marijuana Party held
a barbecue in Kiwanis Park Saturday afternoon to raise money for its
coffers and for the Saskatoon Food Bank.

The barbecue was its first event since gaining official party status
on June 7. The marijuana party plans to help the community as well as
campaign to legalize cannabis.

"As a community-minded organization, we will endeavour to help those
who are most in need where we can," said Nathan Holowaty, the party
leader.

The party has been in the works since October 2004. Mike Kereiff, the
deputy leader, said he's been involved in the party "since day 1." He
said that when Marc Emery, a B.C. marijuana activist, was released
from jail in Saskatoon in October 2004 after serving a sentence for
drug trafficking, some of his supporters had a celebration. At that
point, they decided to start a Saskatchewan Marijuana Party.

There weren't too many party supporters at the barbecue, but Holowaty
said he hopes to field candidates in all 58 ridings in the next
provincial election.

The main party platform is the legalization of cannabis. But the
members of the party are politically diverse. Holowaty used to be the
president of the University of Saskatchewan NDP club, while Ethan
Erkiletian, the party president, is a self-described "Red Tory."

"Basically you can be from all affiliations. We just believe we want
to end cannabis prohibition," Holowaty said.

Kerieff said there are many reasons to legalize cannabis, which is one
of his motivations for supporting the party. He noted that it's one of
the oldest plants with recognized therapeutic value, that hemp oil has
nutritional value and hemp fibre is very useful.

"There's the added bonus that it's a relatively harmless recreational
substance, more harmless than alcohol," he added.

Not all of the members use marijuana, though. Erkiletian said that he
abstains from alcohol and drugs, including marijuana.

"It's a matter of personal choice. That's pretty much what it all
boils down to. I believe prohibition is an ineffective policy and
therefore I have no trouble supporting this party the way I do,"
Erkiletian said.

The party doesn't have many defined policies yet, but Erkiletian said
that will come once they have a party convention. Holowaty said to
date, the provincial party is " dealing with social issues."

"We're socially conscious and we want a healthy society," Holowaty
said.

Their consciences were in practice as they sold burgers and hot dogs.
Half of the proceeds-- or $150 -- was to be donated to the food bank.

No one from the food bank was available to comment on whether they had
any reservations about accepting money from the Saskatchewan Marijuana
Party, but Erkiletian said he didn't think there were any concerns.