Andy Caisse

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Andy Caisse is a political activist in Manitoba, Canada. He has campaigned provincially as a candidate of the Libertarian Party, and federally as a candidate of the Marijuana Party.

Caisse has multiple sclerosis, and is one of a small number of Canadians who may legally own and consume marijuana for medicinal purposes. He suffers from a weakened central nervous system, and usually requires assistance in rolling individual cigarettes. Caisse has been confined to a wheelchair since 1995.

In 2001, Caisse met Chris Buors (later the leader of the Manitoba Libertarian Party) at a pro-marijuana rally in front of the Manitoba legislature. Caisse subsequently became involved in Buors's Manitoba Compassion Club, and organization that supplies medicinal marijuana to its members. In 2002 (at age 34), he was the subject of a profile by Cannabis News magazine. Caisse supports the full legalization of marijuana use.

In the 2003 provincial election, Caisse ran as a Libertarian in the riding of Lord Roberts in central Winnipeg. He received 66 votes, as opposed to 4352 for the winning candidate, New Democrat Dianne McGifford.

In the Canadian federal election of 2004, Caisse was for the Marijuana Party in the riding of Winnipeg South Centre. He received 293 votes, about 0.75% of the total cast.

[edit] References

• "Me, mom, and marijuana", The Manitoban, December 4, 2002, retrieved December 23, 2005.