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Pot crusader ready to enter politics, mayor undecided on second term
By Hempology | July 18, 2002
From the Times Colonist, July 18th, 2002
A crusader for more liberal marijuana laws has become the first announced candidate
for Victoria mayor in the upcoming fall election.
Ted Smith, 33, informed city council of his intention after expressing frustration over
the city’s approach to his business, which attempts to provide pot to medical users.
He currently faces six drug trafficking charges and his Cannabis Buyers Club of Canada has
been raided by city police four times.
But Smith said recently he does not plan to be a single-issue candidate, citing the need for
more attention to the human side of downtown development.
Mayor Alan Lowe said he has not yet decided whether to seek re-election but he is getting close
to making a decision.
“Maybe I need to take a walk in the snow,” Lowe said, laughing.
Smith isn’t th eonly pro-pot candidate to get involved in civic politics. Philippe Lucas, president
of the Vancouver Island Compassion Society, said he plans to seek a Green Party nomination to
run for a seat on city council.
Earlier this month, Lucas received an absolute discharge after pleading guilty to possession
of less than three grams of marijuana following a raid of the Compassion Society’s office in
Oak Bay. The raid occured after Lucas reported a break-in to police.
Lucas also said he doesn’t want to be seen as a single-issue candidate and has rejected running
for the Marijuana Party because of its “libertarian” policies.
The Victoria Civic Electors, the NDP’s municipal wing, earlier nominated six candidates
for council, including incumbent councillors Rob Fleming, Pamela Madoff and Denise Savoie.
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