CHONG BACKS LARSEN FOR NDP LEADERSHIP

NDP leadership hopeful Dana Larsen is looking to a famous stoner to
help spark up his campaign.

Actor/comedian Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong fame has thrown his
support behind former Marijuana Party leader Larsen as he takes a run
at the top NDP job, which will be decided at the leadership convention
on April 17.

"Dana was the only voice in B.C. that I heard of in politics that
could actually further the marijuana course along," said Chong, who
headlined a Larsen fundraising show at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver on
Monday night.

"Dana is our saviour. He's the Nelson Mandela, the Barack Obama of
Canada. He has a shot at coming in here and energizing young people to
go, 'Hey we can make a difference.'"

Chong, who splits his time between Vancouver and Los Angeles, and his
partner Cheech Marin, were synonymous with pot smoking during the 1970s.

Hit records and movies made them the kings of weed long before the
currently incarcerated Marc Emery was the prince of pot.

"Celebrity can help to draw some attention and help draw the media to
put a spotlight on the ideas we're trying to bring forward," said Larsen.