HIGH ON THE GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT

More that 20,000 Canadians every year get criminal records for
marijuana-related offenses, most of them for simple possession, says Norm
Siefken, Marijuana Party candidate in the Fraser Valley. But none of the
mainstream political parties have taken any significant steps to change
that situation - or to harness the potential votes in that group.

"An upset victory is a real possibility," in the Fraser Valley, says Mr.
Siefken, who has been gathering signatures for his election bid and
encountering "lots of interest" in his party, "especially among the
younger voters."

"I think it's going to be something of a hallmark," he says about the
federal election on Nov. 27. Not only will there be "an unprecedented
turnout of young voters" supporting his parties legalization of marijuana
platform, he says, but many older adults too. "There is very much a
grassroots thing going on," he says. "There's a real interest among the
people."

While the other parties are talking about various degrees of relaxation of
marijuana laws, his party believes "adults should be allowed to grow a
personal marijuana garden, without fear of arrest or harassment by
authorities; We allow adults to make beer and wine - so why should they be
forbidden to grow marijuana, if that is their preference?"

The Canadian Alliance party says it "will remove the threat of jail terms
for simple possession of small amounts of cannabis, and allow its use for
serious medical reasons."

Fraser Valley New Democrat candidate Dr. Rob Lees says his party would
"abolish the hypocrisy about marijuana and allow our farmers to profit from
it while finding new ways to protect youth."

The governing Liberals allow Canadians to apply for an exemption to possess
marijuana for medical purposes, but only about 71 have been granted.

Mr. Siefken says if marijuana sales were legalized it would result in $72
billion in new revenue for the country, and about $6 billion in savings
each year through "cancelling the war on pot."

He says "marijuana tourism" in Canada could inject $200 billion a year into
the economy, based on just one percent of the U.S. population crossing the
border to sample the Canadian Bud.

"I'm not a radical at all," says the candidate, a medical radiation
technologist. "I have very common sense views on all the (election) issues."

If elected he says the RCMP in the Fraser Valley will be asked to
discontinue the war on pot except for "irresponsible acts like distribution
to children, or driving while high."

"I will also agree to appear in court and ask that marijuana charges be
dismissed against any of my constituents charged for possession or
cultivation." he says.