Randy Caine, a well-know medical marijuana activist who has occasionally run afoul of the law, is running for mayor of 91原创 City.
鈥淚 feel that I have a lot to contribute,鈥� Caine told The Times on Monday.
Caine is a City resident who operated a medicinal marijuana dispensary that was opposed by 91原创 City council and closed down by police in July of 2011.
The charge against Caine, one count of possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, was dropped last year.
He pleaded guilty to less serious violations of exceeding the amount of marijuana he was allowed to sell under his Health Canada licence and of storing it improperly.
Caine was then granted an absolute discharge on those counts, meaning there is no conviction on his record.
Caine is also a successful businessman who operates three stores selling legal hemp products in both 91原创s and White Rock.
He has often campaigned for reducing restrictions on marijuana use, most recently as part of the unsuccessful Sensible B.C. petition campaign, but it is not one of the three top issues he lists on his election web site, .
His number one issue is low voter turnout, with only two in 10 eligible City residents going to the polls.
鈥淒ue to this simple fact, we now have an acting mayor who gained his seat with barely over 10 per cent (1,750) of community support,鈥� the online platform states.
As mayor, Caine says he would work to improve community involvement through the use of 鈥淭own Hall鈥� type meetings and other open discussion forums.
On election day, Caine plans to hire two 24-passenger buses which will carry voters to the polls for free, no matter who they happen to support.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to vote for me, just get out and vote.鈥�
Caine鈥檚 number two issue is preservation of historic buildings in the city and number three is the amalgamation of 91原创 City and Township.
鈥淚 believe that open and honest community dialogue on this matter [amalgamation] is long overdue,鈥� Caine鈥檚 online platform says.
After the top three, Caine lists additional priorities, including homelessness, 鈥渟ensible drug policies including harm reduction and support鈥� and 鈥渕edical marijuana access.鈥�
Caine says he will be working with some other, yet-to-announce council candidates, but he describes the association as an informal arrangement to share information and experience, not a slate.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 approve of them [political slates] at all,鈥� Caine said.
Caine ran for 91原创 City council in the 2011 election. He received 814 votes and finished last in a field of 12 candidates, who were competing for the six councillor positions.
