While Marijuana Party has wonderful double meaning, the word conjours up more sinister thoughts with the older set.

We should target and win the senior vote with a cannabis regulatory scheme that pumps billions into healthcare and saves hunderds of millions in Pharmacare.

So how about the Cannabis Party? Still sounds like a party I'd like to attend!!

Perhaps if we ascertained where exactly the party's platform stands in the political spectrum, one could apply a label that the public can begin to identify with.

I see why all of you who want the perfect name for our party.If the name change goes through how many people do you think will scream SELL-OUT?You can't make everyone happy all the time.The name is there imo leave it and lets put our energy where it will do the most good.A bud by any other name will still taste as sweet.

If a name change is in efect The Canadian cannabis party would be the best name.
Now whats the big diference is it only to be leader of a party and in control of it?
Democracy needs all to vote on any subject to make it democracy.
So is that the end of the Marijuana party out west?
Please educate me on this as im confused as to the reason of the name change.
Lets end prohibition thru education.

Then how about the independant liberal justice party

Marc has always liked the idea/name of The Justice Party. And back in his early political days, he was part of the Freedom Party. You can find - ie. Google - tons of cool info about Marc and the Freedom Party in London Ontario, such as the Freedom Flyer, etc.

I like the sound of both the Justice and the Freedom Party, but I believe the names are already claimed by other groups.

The point Im driving at, is that the BCMP stands for much more than marijuana issues, as important as they may be.

Justice is something that all citizens can get behind. It is a univeral issue with universal appeal. As are the ideas of freedom and autonomy.

The problem with all the political parties in BC, is that they become one issue parties.

The NDP usually comes down to its support base of unions, which it inevitably must pander to.

The provincial Liberals come down to their support of business in the province, at any social cost.

The Conservatives come down to religious issues and the promise of stepping up law enforcement in this province.

Last time, the name made the BCMP was constantly fighting the image of a one issue party, despite its wide array of issues and candidates who cared very deeply about those issues, including environmental, social and economic reform in this province.

Like it or not, people place their votes based on very scattered and abstract peices of information they pick up throughout the campaign month. Only a small portion of the electorate will sit down and look at the issues closely. The majority base their vote on a few soundbites they may have heard on the news, the likeability of the candidate, or even an abstract impression based on little to no information.

Thats why message and image must be meticulously crafted and considered when trying to appeal to an electorate that is otherwise busy with their day to day lives.

Their one or two exposures to your message may be the only chance you get to speak to them, so you want every aspect of your image to be polished, perfected, and better than the other guy's.

I have nothing against pot or the word marijuana. I smoke it every day and enjoy it just as much as the next guy. However this issue came up time and time again during the last election.

I agree with you 100%.

I wonder if, for the May election this year, there's time to change anything. I'd like to see that happen, but I have a feeling it's too late now.

I remember going to the BCMP Election rally at Riverside Park in Kamloops with you and Greg in 2001, and even then we thought the party name should have a broader appeal.