Although Dan Banov is the Marijuana Party candidate in the federal Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission riding, he doesn't smoke pot. But he doesn't see this as a contradiction.

As Banov, 58, said last week, his decision to run under the Marijuana Party banner was less about legalizing pot and more about supporting a person's freedom of choice.

"I believe in the freedom of choice and for what people do, as long as it does not cause harm to other people," said Banov, a retired teacher now working as a real estate agent in Mission.

However, the 30-year Maple Ridge resident does see legalizing drugs as a solution to some of society's problems.

By legalizing marijuana, as well as harder drugs, Banov argued police resources that are currently tied up "chasing grow-ups and fighting the drug war" would be freed up to focus more on drug prevention.

However, aside from his support for legalizing drugs, Banov said his political views lean more to the conservative side, noting he supports free trade as a solution to creating lasting peace and reducing poverty in the world.

Banov will vie for the Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission seat in the Jan. 23 election against incumbent Conservative MP Randy Kamp, NDP candidate Mike Bocking and Liberal candidate Keith Henry.