MAYORAL DEBATE UP IN SMOKE

A debate over pot advocacy is flaring up between election candidates
after two mayoral hopefuls boosted marijuana at a downtown high school.

At an assembly at Sir John A. Macdonald High School on Thursday
morning, Michael Baldasaro advocated for growing cannabis in Hamilton.
Another mayoral candidate told a rival he "needs to smoke a joint."

The spat prompted one mayoral candidate, Edward H.C. Graydon, to quit
the race and throw his support behind Larry Di Ianni.

It all began during the closing arguments at a mayoral debate held at
Sir John A. Baldasaro, who claims to be a medicinal marijuana user,
told the students that the city should grow and harvest cannabis to
create jobs.

"I wasn't talking about smoking it. I was talking about growing it for
food, fuel, and medicine," said Baldasaro.

When it was Graydon's turn to make his final argument, he took issue
with Baldasaro's comments and spoke out against marijuana use.

"The kids, of course, showed their displeasure," Di Ianni
said.

Di Ianni then defended Graydon and spoke about his experiences
watching the negative effects of drug use as an educator.

Finally, the microphone was handed to Andrew Haines, also a medicinal
marijuana user. "You really need to smoke a joint," Haines told Graydon.

"At that point, the entire audience lit right up - no pun intended,"
Haines said.

Graydon told the Spectator he would formally announce his withdrawal
from the race at the next all-candidates meeting. He said he believes
that Di Ianni is the only one of his former competitors that can do
the job.