MARIJUANA ACTIVIST BRIAN CARLISLE IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR

Marijuana activist Brian Carlisle is running for the mayor's chair at city
council.

But crime-fighting, community-building and health care are among his top
priorities, says the candidate, who recently fought a court battle to
obtain a medical marijuana exemption. He has also opened a marijuana
compassion club in downtown Chilliwack.

"A lot of our crime fighting resources are being spent in inappropriate
ways," he says, adding that if elected he would meet with local police
officials to design "a better strategy" to fight crime.

Calling himself "the people's" candidate, Mr. Carlisle says if elected he
would call an "immediate" town meeting to get public input on new
directions for the community. He would also orgranize "community-building
events" like holding "loonie" swims at the new Leisure Centre to raise
money for local charities.

"I'm the people's candidate," he says. "I am the person that will take this
job ... and find out what people want done."

The candidate, who earlier said he had 12 months to live, now says he was
misquoted and that his health won't be an issue over a three-year term as
Mayor.

"When I said I had 12 months to live," he explains, he meant his symptoms
fell within Health Canada's category of patients whose prognosis is death.

"My health is actually improving," he says. "There's no question I have
ten, maybe 15 years."

Mr. Carlisle says, among other ailments and injuries, that he has HIV and
Hepatitis C, as well as glaucoma, ulcerative colitis and a congenital heart
defect.

"Being an extremely ill person is a blessing," he says. "It gives me focus
every day to live it as the most important day. Every relationship, every
job I undertake (I do) with the most extreme fortitude of anything I put my
mind to."

To date, Mr. Carlisle is the only announced mayoralty candidate vying to
unseat current Mayor Clint Hames.