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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Cannabis candidate for by-election
Jonathan Barnes and Graham Dines East Anglian Daily Times
Thursday 01 Nov 2001 CONVICTED drug smuggler Howard Marks revealed last night the Legalise Cannabis Alliance's man to stand at the Ipswich by-election - a musician fighting a possession charge on human rights issues. The world's most famous drug baron used his show at the town's Corn Exchange to announce the intention of Ipswich man John Ramirez to contest the town's parliamentary seat. Performing arts student Mr Ramirez, 36, was in the audience for the latest date of Marks' acclaimed An Audience With Mr Nice tour of the UK. He is currently on bail after fighting a charge of possessing cannabis on human rights grounds. Police discovered a lump of the drug during a raid at his Faraday Road home in July, but Mr Ramirez argued officers were wrong to search the house he shared with his wife and eight-year-old son. It prompted the Suffolk College student to join the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, which asked him to be its candidate for the November 22 by-election caused by the death of Ipswich Labour MP Jamie Cann. Former St Joseph's College pupil Mr Ramirez, who writes music for theatre productions and has worked as a music technician at Middlesex University, said he was "very excited" about standing as the Legalise Cannabis Alliance candidate. "I believe it is important someone stands up and offers the opportunity to those in the community to express their own belief and support in the cannabis debate," he added. "This is the first time that cannabis users in Ipswich will be able to express their own sympathies in a democratic context without the concern of being personally condemned for the way in which they choose to live their private lives." Meanwhile, members of the Ipswich Labour Party will meet tonight to choose their candidate for the by-election, but the town's Conservatives have delayed their selection meeting by 48 hours. The writ for the by-election is expected to be moved in the Commons this morning with polling day on November 22. More than 400 Labour Party members have been invited to attend their meeting in a marquee at Ipswich Town Football Club, starting at 8pm. Three candidates have been shortlisted by the party's national executive - Croydon councillor Amanda Campbell, who fought Billericay at the General Election; Chris Mole, leader of Suffolk County Council; and Jan Royal, a spokesman for the European Commission in Brussels who is a former member of Neil Kinnock's staff. About 200 Conservatives will gather at Westerfield House Hotel at 10.30am on Saturday to choose a candidate. The Liberal Democrats are expected to name former Labour Party member Tessa Munt, who fought Tim Yeo in Suffolk South at the General Election, as their candidate before the weekend. Ipswich Socialist Alliance has reselected Pete Leech to stand in the by-election, having contested the seat in June's General Election. It will be putting forward a platform against the war in Afghanistan, improved funding of public services and against privatisations. -----End of original message from Adam Medcalf-----
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