CANNABIS LEAFLET HAS NDP SMOKING MAD

Federal New Democrats are all steamed up over a B.C. Marijuana party
leaflet that has an image of a big cannabis leaf behind the NDP's
official campaign photograph of NDP leader Jack Layton.

The envelope-sized leaflet and larger posters and leaflets -- coloured
mostly in orange, the NDP's traditional colour -- criticize the
Liberal and Conservative policies on the legalization of marijuana and
urge Canadians to "Vote NDP!"

At the bottom of the leaflet, under an NDP logo, is a line in a
smaller type face reading: "this poster sponsored by
bcmarijuanaparty.ca" and "pot-tv.net."

NDP federal secretary Chris Watson said he asked marijuana
decriminalization advocate Marc Emery on Monday to stop distributing
those materials, but Emery refused.

"We just don't like it when anyone distributes something that is made
to look like it came from us," Watson said during an interview from
Ottawa.

Watson said the NDP images are likely registered and subject to
copyright law, and he has referred the issue to an NDP lawyer for advice.

"The NDP are threatening to sue me," fumed Emery, leader of the
Marijuana party and political spokesman for the broad cannabis culture
constituency -- an amalgam of hot-house horticulturalists, plant
nutrient and grow-equipment suppliers, medical marijuana boosters and
the vast numbers of recreational dopers.

Emery, the self-described "Prince of Pot," said he doesn't understand
on what basis the NDP would take legal action.

"The sponsorship of the literature is pretty clear, it is cleverly
designed, the quotes are all verifiable, the picture of Jack is
handsome," Emery stated in a website posting.

During an interview, Emery said about 35,000 leaflets have been
distributed and he is planning to print another 50,000.

The NDP election platform includes a pledge that an NDP government
would be "introducing a non-punitive, rule-based approach to adult
marijuana use with a major emphasis on prevention, education and
health promotion, while seeing that provinces have the resources to
prevent and detect impaired driving more effectively."