EX-MARIJUANA PARTY LEADER TO RUN FOR NDP IN FEDERAL ELECTION

The former leader of the B.C. Marijuana Party is making another bid for a
seat in the House of Commons in the federal election scheduled in 2004.

But this time, Dana Larsen - buoyed by federal New Democrat leader Jack
Layton's call to legalize marijuana - is planning to run for the West
Vancouver-Sunshine Coast seat under the NDP banner.

Larsen, who lives in Gibsons, has been the editor of Cannibis Culture
magazine since its inception in 1995. He ran for the federal Marijuana Party
in the 2000 federal election and the B.C. Marijuana Party in the 2001
provincial vote.

After signing his NDP membership papers Nov. 27 in Powell River, Larsen said
he decided to change parties after Layton's declaration that he supports the
legalization of marijuana in Canada.

But that's not the only reason Larsen decided to switch.

'I am also impressed by their commitment to Canadian sovereignty, their
active support for proportional representation and their willingness to seek
innovative solutions to tough problems. Jack Layton had an excellent record
on Toronto City Council, and I am inspired by his leadership and integrity.

'I continue to support the principles and goals of the Marijuana Parties,
but I believe the best way to promote those issues in Canada today is
through the federal NDP.'

Larsen said he opposes the Liberal government's bill to decriminalize
marijuana which died last month when outgoing Prime Minister Jean Chretien
called an end to the House's session.

The bill would have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of
cannibis in Canada.

'That kind of decriminalization is a half-assed, useless measure in my
estimation,' Larsen said. 'To us, if you can possess it but you can't buy it
or grow it yourself, there's a real hypocrisy there. We all (Marijuana
Party) oppose that. We think that decriminalization bill is a joke and we're
glad it didn't pass.'

Larsen said his bid for the NDP nomination has already received the
endorsement of Telis Savvaidas, who ran a strong race in the 2000 federal
election in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast, and other key members of the
local NDP.

The NDP's nomination meeting is expected to take place in March, before
incoming Prime Minister Paul Martin drops the federal election writ.