cannabisnews.com: Activists in Vancouver Push for Pot Activists in Vancouver Push for Pot Posted by FoM on June 27, 2000 at 20:03:06 PT By The Associated Press Source: FoxNews Canada is on the verge of a nationwide pot party — not a giant smokefest — but a bona fide political organization aimed at getting pro-marijuana politicians into high office. "There's a whole new generation," said the Marijuana Party's Cherise Mitchell. "Our values are different than the values that have been around for the past 20, 30 or 40 years." Mitchell runs a Vancouver cafe where the recipes include pot — technically illegal under Canadian law, but lightly enforced by the courts. Just ask fellow Marijuana Party advocate Marc Emery. "I have been convicted of about 21 offenses relating to marijuana," said Emery. "I didn't get jail or probation, just a small fine." And now Emery's "pot" party may get government subsidies, if it can recruit at least 50 candidates to run in the next national election. Education, health care and the environment are all issues for Canada's other political parties. The Marijuana Party has only one goal: legalizing pot. Once that happens it will disband, but political experts say don't hold your breath. "The public are not really fools and I think they get a little skeptical about parties or movements that focus on one fairly narrow issue," said Western Washington University professor Donald Alper. "And they worry about whether people who are running under those banners are really the kind of people you want governing." Party supporters cite an Angus Reid poll, showing 51 percent of Canadian adults believe smoking marijuana should not be a criminal offense. "We're not a fringe group or fringe party," said Emery. "We represent mainstream Canada in our particular point of view." Even if that's true, it's uncertain whether mainstream Canadians would ever support a self-proclaimed party of outlaws. Time will tell whether Canada's Marijuana Party is merely high ambition — or whether it actually produces politicians who not only smoke, but inhale. — Fox News' Jonathan Serrie contributed to this reportFor FoxNews.com comments write to: comments newsdigital.comFox News Channel comments write to: comments foxnews.com Vancouver, British ColumbiaWeb Posted: Tuesday, June 27, 2000 © Associated Press. Related Article & Web Sites:Pot-TV & Pot Radiohttp://www.pottv.net CMAP Law and Government Linkshttp://www.islandnet.com/~creator/cmap/law.htmNew Party Reaches To Grassrootshttp://mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n823/a03.htmlTwo-Thirds Favour Decriminalizing Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread5738.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by David Burke on August 13, 2001 at 21:17:28 PT: Tv azteca Hello, I am hoping someone there can help me. This evening I was walking down the street here in Ottawa and I was stopped by a gentleman who congratulated me on wearing a Mexican National football team jersey. Turns out he is a reporter from Tv azteca, one of the most inflential television networks in Mexico, and he is here in Ottawa doing a report on the current changes to the Marijuana laws in Canada. We got to talking, and I asked him his opinion on the changes, and as I expected, he and his fellow countrymen and amazed and scared of the direction Canadian law is going.To make a long story short, because of my fluency in spanish, and the fact that I lived in Mexico for 2 years, he has asked me to be interviewed. I am not completely ignorant of the present situation, and like most canadians, like to smoke occasionally.Any help that I could get would be appreciated in preparing for this interview, especially statistica and information concerning the benefits to sick people, etc.This interview is to take place in the next couple of days. Also, if there is a spokesperson here in Ottawa that would like to get in on this interview, a request has been made for other people to be interviewed.I can be reached today, Tuesday, aug. 14 all day at 613-729-9251. Please tell the person that answers that it is an important call, and if I am busy, call again.I hope to hear from you, and hope to be able to do my part for this cause.Sincerly,David Burke [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: