MARIJUANA PARTY GIVEN FEWER PUFFS ON-AIR

CBC Debate Limits Speaking Time For Ed De Vries

The news came to Ed de Vries like a bad trip.

With no travel budget, Nunavut's candidate for the Marijuana Party
planned to reach the ears of voters through the airwaves during the
on-air candidates forum, hosted by CBC radio.

But last week he was told he could only speak for three minutes
during the introduction, and three minutes at closing, if time
permits. Unlike candidates for the other parties, he won't be allowed
to field questions.

"They don't want me to speak because they know what I could offer.
The people of Nunavut would jump for it," he said.

De Vries said he represents a silent majority in Nunavut.

That's because he estimates about 75 per cent of Inuit and 60 per
cent non-Inuit smoke dope. "And that's a conservative estimate," he said.

He said the election of a Marijuana Party member would help push
forward reforms to legalize the possession and cultivation of marijuana.

"This would send a serious message to the rest of Canada, and the
world," he said. "This would stand the world on its head."

De Vries offered a tall list of promises he said would fall into
place if Nunavut followed his plan to build marijuana grow-operations
around the territory.

They include a detox centre, Inuit cultural programs, new schools,
breakfast programs for kids, hockey equipment and much more.

Until then, he said he's working on making cannabis available in a
form you can spray into your mouth for medicinal purposes. He's also
recently been in contact with a marijuana health advocate who's
interested in speaking to students in schools -- something some
parents may not be too thrilled about.

De Vries argued he'd be a stronger voice for Nunavut than the
incumbent, Nancy Karetak-Lindell. He said that as a Liberal Party
member, she isn't always free to speak her mind.

"She needs Liberal consent to raise issues that are northern."

He wants an independent inquiry into allegations of an RCMP slaughter
of sled dogs, led by Inuit elders and "select judicial
representatives" chosen by Inuit.

De Vries faces several marijuana-related criminal charges, including
laundering the proceeds of crime, one count of drug trafficking and
one count of conspiracy to commit trafficking.

If convicted, he could face jail time -- which would compromise his
ability to represent Nunavut in the House of Commons. But every vote
will help boost his cause, regardless of the outcome of his court
case, he said.

"If I get a couple thousand votes, and people know I'm being charged
for marijuana offences, isn't that a clear message? Isn't that better
than 12 people on a jury?

"Let the green rain, man. Let it fall."