CAPITAL HEALTH DECLARES POT PARTY'S HOUSE UNFIT

The Marijuana party's office has been condemned and declared unfit for
habitation after a sleeping area in the building was found to be unsafe.

Capital Health received a complaint about the 10253 97 St. office and store
last Thursday and declared it unsafe the next day because the commercial
space is connected to residential accommodations without a fire-separation
wall.

As well, there were no windows that could be opened or a smoke alarm in the
sleeping area.

Environmental health officer Glenn Jenkins said the sleeping area has to be
separate from the business - that could be done by adding a living area to
the back and installing a separate door, so anyone living inside could
escape in the case of a blaze.

Of course, the add-on suite would have to meet fire, building and zoning
codes as well as minimum housing and health standards, said Jenkins.

He added if no one was living in the office, he wouldn't have a problem
with it reopening.

The property is co-owned by Ken Kirk, the former leader of the Marijuana
Party of Alberta. Kirk and the other owner have to leave the building
before or on Aug. 5.

At the end of June, Kirk was ousted from the party by three members of the
executive council.

Party president Reginald Normore said while the office is closed, members
can stay in touch via the Internet until a new office is found. He insists
he didn't know about the problems.

"I didn't realize the sleeping area was there. As an office, it was a good
place. It's unfortunate. Sometimes these things happen."