NDP LEADERSHIP HOPEFUL TAKES TIME TO VISIT CITY

Controversial marijuana advocate and B.C. NDP leadership candidate
Dana Larsen will be holding a public open house in Prince George tonight.

Larsen was a founding member of the B.C. Marijuana Party and ran for
the federal NDP in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast in 2008. Larsen
withdrew his name from the ballot in 2008 after video surfaced showing
Larsen consuming marijuana and narcotics, then driving.

"I'm obviously associated with the cannabis issue. [But] I haven't
heard any negative feedback - people saying I shouldn't run," Larsen
said. "It is NDP policy to support the taxation and regulation of
marijuana. But some policies come up more than others."

Marijuana is the "elephant in the room," when talking about issues
like the economy, health care and crime.

"How do we talk about gang violence without talking about the
prohibition of marijuana?" he said. "How do we talk about the economy
without talking about marijuana production? Marijuana is our
second-largest export."

Larsen is the manger of the Vancouver Medical Cannabis Dispensary
Society, which provides medical marijuana to 2,500 customers. Not all
people who could benefit from medical marijuana have access to it, or
can afford it, he said.

As premier, Larsen said he'd integrate medical marijuana into the
services covered by the Medical Services Plan.

"It would take tens of thousands patients out of the criminal justice
system," he said.

Democratic reform, sustainability, social justice and smart approaches
to combating crime are also parts of Larsen's platform. Larsen said he
would also engage grassroots party members in policy debates through
the Internet.

"I think the party members are looking for someone who can unite the
party and win, while following the party principles. Not someone who
will water those down to win," Larsen said. "I think we need a more
persuasive vision, a more leftist vision. I'm proud to be a socialist."

Larsen will be at Hummus Brothers Tapas Bar, 1230 Fourth Ave, from 6
to 9 p.m. tonight to meet with NDP party members and the general public.