A TOKE OVER THE LINE

NDP EYES PRO-POT LEAFLET LAWSUIT

THE NEW Democrats are smoking mad and threatening to sue a fringe
party over a un-affiliated campaign that advertises leader Jack Layton
as Canada's marijuana candidate. The federal party has its lawyers
looking at ways to stop the B.C. Marijuana Party from distributing
tens of thousands of election leaflets across Canada.

The leaflets are printed in NDP orange and feature a photo of Jack
Layton with a marijuana leaf in the background. They criticize Liberal
and Tory marijuana platforms and urge people to "Vote NDP!"

"It is unfair and inappropriate," said NDP federal secretary Chris
Watson, who said the leaflet was produced without NDP approval.

Another 50,000

Marc Emery, leader of the B.C. Marijuana Party, said they are printing
another 50,000 leaflets next week in addition to the 40,000 leaflets
already in circulation. Hundreds have been distributed in Toronto and
there is no plan to stop.

Emery said he has no idea on what grounds the NDP would sue his party
because "the literature is pretty clear, it is cleverly designed, the
quotes are all verifiable, the picture of Jack is handsome."

The leaflet quotes from an interview Layton did with Emery late last
year in which he supported a form of marijuana legalization:

Decriminalization

"Our party is in favour of modernizing our marijuana laws and creating
a legal environment where people can enjoy marijuana in the peace and
quiet of their own home or in a cafe without the fear of being criminalized."

The current NDP election platform calls only for a decriminalization
plan similar to that proposed by the Liberals.

"I think Layton means every word he said but the current fervour (over
the leaflet) is a result of backroom pressure exerted by the old guard
NDP," said Eric Wood, who manages a cannabis production facility for a
Toronto compassion club.

Wood said anyone who wants a leaflet can pick one up this weekend at
Roach A Rama, Toronto Hemp Company or the Friendly Stranger.