LIBERAL CONVERT ADAMANT ABOUT LEGALIZING POT

St.-Maurice Founded The Marijuana Party

OTTAWA - Political defections to the Liberal party aren't unusual, but the
announcement today to confirm the issuance of Liberal membership No. 766001
is bound to turn heads.

Marc-Boris St-Maurice, the founder and former leader of the Marijuana
party, is the latest Liberal convert.

St-Maurice, 36, said Monday he wants to help the Liberals become the party
that completely legalizes marijuana and he believes there is already
substantial support for such legislation among party members.

"They may be silent supporters, but I know for a fact that it's very strong
support and I will try and -- without trying to make any puns - smoke them
out, identify them and work to try and come together and make (new
legislation) work," he said.

The Liberal government's bill C-17, which would decriminalize possession
and production of small amounts of marijuana, making such offences
punishable with fines, is currently before the Commons' justice committee.

In the last eight years, St-Maurice has helped organize parties dedicated
to reforming marijuana laws. He's been arrested seven times for possessing
small amounts of marijuana and appeared before committees of the House of
Commons and the Senate.