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Potential pot politician primed for another political run

Rev. Michel Ethier, in a photo taken while he was incarcerated in the North Bay jail. Photo by Phil Novak, BayToday.ca Rev. Michel Ethier says he will once again launch his "grass" roots attempt to head a local municipality.
Rev. Michel Ethier, in a photo taken while he was incarcerated in the North Bay jail. Photo by Phil Novak, BayToday.ca

Rev. Michel Ethier says he will once again launch his "grass" roots attempt to head a local municipality.

Ethier, a reverend with the Assembly of the Church of the Universe, has filed papers in January 2003 to run for the job of West Nipissing mayor.

He couldn't campaign very well, though, since he was subsequently charged with drug trafficking and money laundering, and ended up in the North Bay jail.

But Ethier will try to enter politics again in the November municipal election, going after the same post.

"I was in jail during the last municipal election, however, I was able to receive 63 votes," Ethier said.

"I will not be in jail this election, however because I do have legal some on-going legal proceedings involving cannabis-related offences from September 2004."

Church of the Universe members are required to use marijuana as a sacrament in their lives and worship. It is required “in their search for an understanding of their spirituality and connection with Almighty God,” the church’s Web site states.

They are also required to provide “medicinal sacrament” to the sick.

Though Ethier has previous drug convictions, there’s nothing in the Ontario Municipal Elections Act that prevents him from running.

Ethier plans to file his nomination papers on Monday.

Although he hasn't yet announced what his platform will be, looking at his past electoral planks may give provide a clue.

Last time around he advocated growing high-grade marijuana in West Nipissing.

“Marijuana is now acceptable for medical use and people have got to get the stuff from somewhere, and it’s got to be of good quality,” Ethier once told BayToday.ca in the visitor area of the North Bay jail.

“The stuff the federal government grew in Flin Flon is of inferior quality, and we have umpteen hectares of unused farm land in our community, so why couldn’t we grow very high grade marijuana here?”

Ethier proposed having the marijuana fields protected by security guards “with Rottweillers” and monitored with security cameras.

“And if people get caught stealing then they would be charged,” Ethier said.

“That should be a crime, not growing a herb that is beneficial to man.”

But Ethier was not just a one-joint pony in 2003.

He also wants to see a recycling and hazardous waste depot built in the municipality and alternate forms of energy such as solar and wind power implemented.

There is a little bookkeeping matter to straighten up, though.

Ethier still needs to file his financial statements from the 2003 municipal election.