HAMILTON Staring off into Veterans Park, the Libertarian candidate slowly raised the marijuana cigarette to his lips and took a deep breath.

As photographers snapped pictures, his wife captured video of Don DeZarn on a cellphone and asked him who it was for.

Who is this for? DeZarn said, exhaling a puff of smoke. This is for all my brothers and sisters who are currently being held prisoners of war by our government as a result of the war on drugs.

Though no police were on the scene to arrest him, DeZarn, 46, of East Windsor, called the stunt a public statement for marijuana legalization, one of the chief tenets of his campaign for the state Senate seat in the 14th District.

Alongside Assembly candidates Sean OConnor and Steven Uccio, both of East Windsor, DeZarn represents the Libertarian party, running on a platform that focuses on cutting property taxes, increasing government transparency and legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana in New Jersey.

The fact that our state freely regulates, sells and taxes alcohol while prosecuting people who use marijuana in the privacy of their own home is insanity to me, DeZarn said. Its completely insanity that we spend that type of money when theres far worse things out there.

Calling himself a lightweight, DeZarn said the drug should be regulated similar to alcohol no smoking in public or behind the wheel of a car in order to reap benefits for the states coffers while saving on the costs of pursuing drug charges against marijuana users, including police time, prosecutions and incarceration.

It wouldnt be a free-for all, DeZarn said. You should be held to the same standards as anyone under the influence of alcohol or any other drug, DeZarn said.

The Colorado and Washington legislatures have already approved legalization, and DeZarn said the influx of revenue could inspire the New Jersey Legislature to pass similar laws.

DeZarn said he saw it first-hand in his native Kentucky: When one dry town finally started allowing alcohol to be sold within its borders, other municipalities soon followed.

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Libertarian party's senate candidate smokes marijuana in Hamilton park