WAR ON DRUGS NEEDS NEW DIRECTION

This federal election, the Nanaimo News Bulletin is getting voters
involved in our campaign coverage like never before. We've sought out
average Nanaimo citizens, asked them a little about themselves and
their politics, delved into the key issue(s) for them personally, and
then taken that issue to the candidates for a direct response. We'll
be posting all these features online, at www.nanaimobulletin.com, and
we invite both other voters and candidates themselves to join the
conversation through our Disqus online commenting feature. From there,
it's up to you, the voters, to decide on May 2.

Lantzville resident Glenda Allard Barr believes it's important to
exercise one's democratic right and vote.

She said it's a right no one should take for granted. She's not a fan
of partisan politics and usually favours the fringe candidates.
However, even if she doesn't find a candidate she likes, Allard Barr
ensures she votes on election day.

"Sometimes when I don't think there is an acceptable choice I go in
and spoil my ballot because I think that it is essential for all
Canadians to vote," she said. "There are people who are dying in other
parts of the world for this right to vote and we need to appreciate
it."

Allard Barr's political leanings changed this year to favour the NDP
after she heard Dana Larsen, who was running for the B.C. NDP
leadership spot, speak. She said it's serendipity that a federal
election coincides with her decision.

For the first time Allard Barr is considering a mainstream party and
is throwing her support behind Nanaimo-Alberni NDP candidate Zeni
Maartman. She said Maartman shows genuine concern for the constituents
in the region.

For the past three years, since meeting her husband Neil who suffers
from a chronic disease and is a medical marijuana user, she's been
passionate about the legalization of marijuana. She said his use of
marijuana has eliminated 16 different symptoms and means he only uses
one mild pharmaceutical. He tried about 30 different pharmaceuticals
but suffered from numerous negative side effects.

With a protest sign in hand, Allard Barr has been vocal about
marijuana and her desire to see it legalized. She protested the
extradition of Mark Emery and the need for the government to ensure
the medical marijuana program continues and is more easily accessible
to Canadians who need it.

She's concerned about mandatory minimum laws proposed and said the
government is trying to criminalize Canadians.

"It applies to all sorts of different things but as far as cannabis
goes, growing six plants or more they seem to categorize you as being
in a gang," said Allard Barr. "Six plants - I think gangs would find
that pretty sad."

She said Canada needs to start being smart on crime instead of tough
on crime and said more prisons aren't the answer to the country's
problems.

"This war on drugs isn't working," she said.

Allard Barr hosts the Cannabis Conversation, where she discusses
medical marijuana issues, on CHLY Radio once a month during Pam
Edgar's show Living for the Health of It.

She also believes that prostitution laws need to change and more needs
to be done to decriminalize "victimless crimes," said Allard Barr.

The environment and sustainability are also important to her and she
and her husband prescribe to the voluntary simplicity movement. It's a
lifestyle where people try to increase their self-sufficiency and
refrain from luxuries to create more family quality time and reduce
their ecological footprint.

"I'm trying to escape from the consumer world," said Allard Barr, who
used to work in a call centre, dealing with quality control, but
eventually reduced her hours.

"I found I could live without a lot of money and try to grow as much
of my own food as I can," she said. "We try to minimize our use of
resources."

Glenda's question to the candidates: What is your position on the
legalization of marijuana?

James Lunney, Conservative

James Lunney did not submit an answer to the question by press time.

Zeni Maartman, NDP

I support an adult conversation about the criminalization of
marijuana. I would like to see more research and a well-informed
debate on the topic, involving everyone in our community.

Renee Meller, Liberal

I personally support decriminalization of marijuana. Legalization is a
more complicated question, and the issue of decriminalization is
properly addressed first. Canada could be saving millions of dollars
worth of unnecessary criminal law enforcement and using that money to
pay down Harper's deficit. Harper's desire for a mandatory minimum of
six months in jail for people who grow six marijuana plants is out of
touch with reality. The reality is that alcohol is far more harmful
and is involved in the majority of violent criminal offences.

Myron Jespersen, Green

Canadians have voted in favour of marijuana with their actions. Over
one-third of Canadians have used marijuana and 10 per cent of the
population use it regularly. Our government labels this large group of
Canadians as criminals and forces them to trade with drug dealers and
support organized crime. The courts have ruled that this is
unconstitutional and must be changed. We must legalize marijuana,
allow legal farmers and businesses to grow and distribute it, regulate
and tax it like we do alcohol or tobacco, and advocate to use it
responsibly.