HIGH PRAISE FOR NDP HOPEFUL

Tommy Chong Backs Marijuana Activist

Marijuana activist Dana Larsen is hoping his NDP leadership bid gets
a bit of a buzz from a smokin' endorsement by Canadian comedian Tommy Chong.

"I joined the B.C. NDP for one reason, and that is Dana Larsen," said
Chong, best known as half of the comedy duo Cheech and Chong who
starred in the pot-buster movie Up In Smoke.

Chong released a video Tuesday in which he appeared in a jovial,
relaxed mood, with a Free Marc Emery poster shown prominently in the
background.

"Dana Larsen can change the face of this country but he needs your
help," said Chong in the video.

Larsen has been in a war of words with the NDP since announcing his
bid for the leadership of the party on Dec. 28.

So far, he is the only declared candidate.

Party president Moe Sihota said Larsen was ineligible to run because
his party membership expired in November.

Larsen said he has been a member in good standing for seven years and
renewed his membership in November, including a change of address.

Larsen was the co-founder of the B.C. Marijuana Party and ran
federally for the NDP in the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast riding.

In 2008, he stepped down from the campaign after videos of him
smoking pot and taking LSD surfaced on the Internet.

Larsen said Tuesday that if he became B.C. premier he would legalize pot.