British Columbia Marijuana Party
Encyclopedia
The British Columbia Marijuana Party (BCMP) is a minor political party
in the Canadian
province of British Columbia
that advocates the legalisation of cannabis
.
The BCMP was formed following the 2000 federal election
. Marc Emery
, the founder and current president of the party, formed the party the day after the 2000 vote. The BCMP made provincial history during the 2001 provincial election
that came six months later, by being the only party to ever field candidates in all of the province's ridings during their first election campaign.
Brian Taylor served as the party's first leader during the 2001 provincial election. Taylor had been a prominent cannabis activist and was the former mayor
of Grand Forks
.
The Marijuana Party was excluded from the televised leaders' debate, even though they were running more candidates than either the Green Party
or the Unity Party
, both of which were included. BC Marijuana Party members protested during the televised debate.
In 2001, the party won 51,206 votes, 3.22% of the popular vote. Teresa Taylor, daughter of leader Brian Taylor, captured the party's highest popular vote total with 1,136 and polled 5.6% in the conservative Okanagan-Westside
district.
After the election, Dana Larsen
became leader, followed by Marc Emery
when Larsen switched to the New Democratic Party in 2003.
Emery also remains as president and chief organizer, despite currently facing extradition to the United States for selling marijuana seeds from Canada by mail-order.
In the 2005 election
, the party fielded 44 candidates, who won a total of 11,519 votes, or 0.64% of the province-wide total.
Before the 2009 election
the party announced it would endorse Green Party
candidates in every riding across the province, although it would run two candidates to continue its party status, those candidates would also openly endorse the Green candidate in that particular constituency.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
that advocates the legalisation of cannabis
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
.
The BCMP was formed following the 2000 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2000
The 2000 Canadian federal election was held on November 27, 2000, to elect 301 Members of Parliament of the Canadian House of Commons of the 37th Parliament of Canada....
. Marc Emery
Marc Emery
Marc Scott Emery is a Canadian cannabis policy reform advocate, as well as a former cannabis seed seller. He is currently serving a five year sentence in a United States federal prison for selling cannabis seeds....
, the founder and current president of the party, formed the party the day after the 2000 vote. The BCMP made provincial history during the 2001 provincial election
British Columbia general election, 2001
The British Columbia general election of 2001 was the 37th provincial election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 18, 2001, and held on May 16, 2001...
that came six months later, by being the only party to ever field candidates in all of the province's ridings during their first election campaign.
Brian Taylor served as the party's first leader during the 2001 provincial election. Taylor had been a prominent cannabis activist and was the former mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Grand Forks
Grand Forks, British Columbia
-Schools:Schools in the region are operated by School District 51 Boundary which has its main office in Grand Forks but also serves Midway, Greenwood, Beaverdell, and Rock Creek....
.
The Marijuana Party was excluded from the televised leaders' debate, even though they were running more candidates than either the Green Party
Green Party of British Columbia
The Green Party of British Columbia is a political party in British Columbia, Canada. It is led by former Esquimalt municipal councillor, university professor and businessperson Jane Sterk, she was elected by the party in 2007. Penticton realtor and columnist Julius Bloomfield serves as the deputy...
or the Unity Party
British Columbia Unity Party
The British Columbia Unity Party was a political party in British Columbia, Canada. The party was founded as an attempted union of five conservative parties: the Reform Party of British Columbia, the British Columbia Social Credit Party, the British Columbia Conservative Party, the British Columbia...
, both of which were included. BC Marijuana Party members protested during the televised debate.
In 2001, the party won 51,206 votes, 3.22% of the popular vote. Teresa Taylor, daughter of leader Brian Taylor, captured the party's highest popular vote total with 1,136 and polled 5.6% in the conservative Okanagan-Westside
Okanagan-Westside
Okanagan-Westside was a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada from 2001 to 2009.It included the small cities of Westbank, Westside, Peachland, and Summerland, and extended from the city limit of Summerland to the Okanagan Lake bridge, in Westside...
district.
After the election, Dana Larsen
Dana Larsen
Dana Albert Larsen is a Canadian author, politician and cannabis legalization activist.Larsen was the editor of Cannabis Culture magazine from its creation in 1994 until 2005, producing 54 issues with publisher Marc Emery, who now also serves as editor.Larsen was a founding member of both the...
became leader, followed by Marc Emery
Marc Emery
Marc Scott Emery is a Canadian cannabis policy reform advocate, as well as a former cannabis seed seller. He is currently serving a five year sentence in a United States federal prison for selling cannabis seeds....
when Larsen switched to the New Democratic Party in 2003.
Emery also remains as president and chief organizer, despite currently facing extradition to the United States for selling marijuana seeds from Canada by mail-order.
In the 2005 election
British Columbia general election, 2005
The 38th British Columbia general election was held on May 17, 2005, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia , Canada. The BC Liberal Party formed the government of the province prior to this general election under the leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell...
, the party fielded 44 candidates, who won a total of 11,519 votes, or 0.64% of the province-wide total.
Before the 2009 election
British Columbia general election, 2009
The 39th British Columbia general election was held on May 12, 2009 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The BC Liberal Party formed the government of the province prior to this general election under the leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell...
the party announced it would endorse Green Party
Green Party of British Columbia
The Green Party of British Columbia is a political party in British Columbia, Canada. It is led by former Esquimalt municipal councillor, university professor and businessperson Jane Sterk, she was elected by the party in 2007. Penticton realtor and columnist Julius Bloomfield serves as the deputy...
candidates in every riding across the province, although it would run two candidates to continue its party status, those candidates would also openly endorse the Green candidate in that particular constituency.
See also
- List of British Columbia political parties
- Legal issues of cannabisLegal issues of cannabisThe legality of cannabis has been the subject of debate and controversy for decades. Cannabis is illegal to consume, use, possess, cultivate, transfer or trade in most countries...
- Marijuana parties
- Marijuana Party of CanadaMarijuana Party of CanadaThe Marijuana Party is a Canadian federal political party. Its agenda consists of ending prohibition of cannabis. With the exception of this one issue, the party does not have "official policy" in any other area...