james bender (born 1964) earned 771 votes (1.55%), the most of any parti marijuana party candidate, finishing sixth of seven candidates. running previously in the riding during the 2004 general election he received 794 votes (1.73%). bender is self made, formerly operating lady godiva's in woodstock, ontario, as well as former operator of "the ganja tree" in woodstock, ontario. bender has been involved in social protest for many years in several areas. he is a proponent of legal marijuana, regulated by the government with similar control and distribution mechanisms in place in order to stabilize the industry, removing it from the paradigm of criminality. at present he is working on a pesticide ban, the redirecting of a golf course, (in order to protect a wetland area) and is a member of the trans national radical party which holds ngo in consultant status with the united nations.