The youth and student organisation of the Green League has decided to suspend its Chairman and Parliamentary candidate Markus Drake.

   

The Board of the youth organisation came to its conclusion on Wednesday after Drake had openly admitted in University of Helsinki newspaper Ylioppilaslehti that he smoked cannabis at the Green campaign cabin in downtown Helsinki.

   

In its press release, the Green youth organisation commented that such actions are not appropriate for a Parliamentary candidate nor the organisation's Chairman. The organisation will thoroughly consider its leadership during its spring meeting in late March.

   

Drake had already stirred up a great deal of controversy within the Greens after he spoke in favour of legalising cannabis in a television debate in February. Such a view is in conflict with the official Green drug policy.

   

Green League Chairman Osmo Soininvaara has previously commented that the Greens made a mistake in making Drake one of their candidates.