SIGN SWIPERS DRIVING PARTY POT-TY

The Marijuana Party's election signs are going up in smoke in Calgary, and
they say they're at their wit's end.

Grant A. Krieger, who is running for the party in Calgary East, said he's
spent too much time replacing signs and not enough getting his message out.
"Everybody's ripping them off," he said.

Of the 200 signs that have gone up to date, very few are left
standing. The campaign spent about half of its budget on signs.

Krieger said his campaign is about more than getting the marijuana laws
changed, and asks that people respect his democratic rights by waiting
until after the election to collect the signs.

"It's more than getting laws changed. It's about people's rights, for
issues like personal use, for people like my father, who needs it," he said.

Krieger's father, Grant Sr. suffers from multiple sclerosis, and has fought
for legalization for medical purposes. Krieger senior casually rolled a
joint on Monday during a visit from the Herald to the campaign office - the
basement of his house.

His wife, Marie Krieger, issued a statement via email: "The Committee to
elect Grant A. Krieger in Calgary East, is at their wits end! Please let
the public know that after the campaign is over they are welcome to all of
them. In the meantime we are trying to run a serious campaign and get the
word out."

Party worker Debra Harper publicized a letter outlining what the party is
trying to accomplish: "It isn't about having pot available to anyone,
anywhere - that is what is happening now and what the party wants changed.
It is about age restrictions and quality control. It is about human rights
and quality of life; neither of which should be taken lightly."

A Marijuana Party candidate in Halifax put up 150 signs last week, and a
few days later, 10 were left standing. The candidate went out at 6:00 a.m.
to nail a sign to a telephone pole when an RCMP cruiser pulled up and
turned on his lights. According to the candidate's e-mail, the officer came
over "with a silly grin on his face" and asked if he could have a sign to
put up behind his desk at the detachment. He was given one and a dozen
brochures to pass out to his brethren.

The party has organized a party for Friday at Fire Park on Barlow Trail
starting at 4 p.m.