Pubdate: Wed, 03 Aug 2005
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2005 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Keith Fraser, CanWest News Service
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

'PRINCE OF POT' WANTED IN U.S. WINS BAIL

Faces Extradition

VANCOUVER - The B.C. Marijuana party leader being sought for extradition to 
the United States 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.

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.

Late Tuesday, Kirk Tousaw, campaign manager for the party, said the judge 
had approved one surety from a relative of Mr. Emery in Ontario, but they 
were having trouble finding three B.C. landowners.

"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."

He said he expected Mr. Williams, 50, a resident of North Vancouver, to be 
released on five sureties worth $5,000 each.

Under the conditions of his release, Mr. Emery must cease operations of his 
marijuana seed-selling business, which is partly operated through the Internet.

Outside court, his 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 site 
has been offering the seeds for sale.

If convicted, Emery faces up to 21 years in a U.S. prison. He and Williams 
are to appear next in court Aug. 25 to fix a date for extradition.
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