POT PARTY TAKES HIGH ROAD IN ELECTION BATTLE

Marc Emery and Norm Siefken want the government to go to pot.

But these two aren't like those stereotypical stoners, Cheech and Chong,
forever firing up a huge joint.

The Marijuana Party of Canada takes its role in the federal election
campaign very seriously.

"People should be growing more pot," said B.C. leader Emery, the party's
candidate in Vancouver Centre.

Emery, the former owner of the Cannabis Cafe and Hemp B.C., is a veteran of
the battle to legalize marijuana.

But he is realistic enough to know he'll do well to get 1,000 votes in the
battle with Liberal incumbent Hedy Fry.

"If we get any more than that, that's a successful election," Emery said in
the Gastown suite which is the home base for his marijuana seed
distribution. "We want to rob the other parties of votes."

As of Monday, the Marijuana Party had 12 candidates in B.C., with 30 more
in Quebec. The goal is to get 50 candidates across Canada so the party can
give tax credits and do some "serious fundraising."

Siefken, the Marijuana Party candidate in the Fraser Valley riding, drops
by the suite after picking up his medicinal stash at the Vancouver
Compassion Club.

Siefken's satchel is stuffed with plastic-wrapped cannabis brownies as well
as several pill bottles filled with aromatic bud.

"There's a real grassroots movement happening," he said. "People in their
30s and 40s have said they'll vote for the first time ever."

Siefken is a 42-year-old hospital radiation technologist who lives in
Chilliwack. He has a legal prescription for marijuana to ease back spasms
stemming from a 1995 traffic accident.

He was hit on a crosswalk, thrown 10 metres and suffered four fractured
vertebrae.

Siefken's platform includes setting up an "international sanctuary in the
Fraser Valley as a safe harbour for people facing persecution for marijuana
offences."