Pubdate: Wed, 03 Aug 2005
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Keith Fraser, The Vancouver Province
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

'PRINCE OF POT' GRANTED BAIL IN FACE OF U.S. EXTRADITION

VANCOUVER - The B.C. Marijuana party leader being sought for extradition to 
the U.S. on drug charges was granted bail yesterday in B.C. Supreme Court.

But due to difficulties securing the necessary sureties, it remains unclear 
when Marc Emery might be freed.

The 47-year-old activist was arrested in Halifax on Friday for allegedly 
selling marijuana seeds for use in U.S. grow ops. He also faces a charge of 
money-laundering.

Dubbed the "prince of pot" by U.S. authorities, he was transferred to 
Vancouver and appeared in court along with co-accused Gregory Keith 
Williams, 50.

B.C. Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice Patrick Dohm ordered Mr. Emery 
released on $10,000 in cash and four sureties of $10,000 -- at least three 
of them from B.C. property owners.

"It's not easy, especially when you've got the (U.S. Drug Enforcement 
Administration) pulling the strings on the investigation. People tend to 
get a bit nervous," said Kirk Tousaw, campaign manager for the party.

Under the conditions of his release, Mr. Emery must cease operations of his 
marijuana seed-selling business.

Outside court, Mr. Emery's lawyer, John Conroy, noted Mr. Emery had been in 
business for nine years and Canadian authorities had done nothing to stop him.

"Here we have a situation where they turn a blind eye locally and now they 
turn around and assist the U.S."

He added that Health Canada has been counselling people seeking marijuana 
for medicinal purposes to check out the Internet, where Mr. Emery's website 
has been offering the seeds for sale.

If convicted, Mr. Emery faces up to 21 years in a U.S. prison. He and Mr. 
Williams, a North Vancouver resident, are to appear in court Aug. 25 to fix 
a date for extradition.
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MAP posted-by: Beth