POT IS OUR OWN OIL/GAS WINDFALL, SAYS CANDIDATE

He couldn't be smoked out at the big May 1 all candidates forum at the
R.E.M. Lee Theatre.

But Marijuana Party candidate Bob Erb did appear two days later before a
smaller crowd of about 40 students and faculty at Northwest Community College.

The 48-year-old construction worker who professes he's not a polished
politician held his own. His best shot came after Liberal candidate Roger
Harris said income tax cuts are necessary to re-energize the economy and
NDPer Helmut Giesbrecht said it couldn't be done without eventual cuts to
services like health care and education.

"It can be done," Erb said. "Marijuana production is B.C.'s answer to gas
and oil production in Alberta."

He said pot is a potential new revenue source that would help pay for both
tax cuts and increased services.

"None of these people have offered a solution," Erb said, pointing to the
other candidates, "other than raping our environment, drilling in offshore
areas and leaving nothing for our children."

He said the party also opposes the firearm registration system being put in
place.

"We're not happy with the gun registry," he said. "We don't need duck
hunters and target shooters turned into criminals in this country."