Pubdate: Wed, 03 Aug 2005 Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Copyright: 2005 The Leader-Post Ltd. Contact: http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361 Author: Keith Fraser, CanWest News Service Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?196 (Emery, Marc) PRINCE OF POT GRANTED BAIL IN FACE OF EXTRADITION VANCOUVER -- The B.C. Marijuana party leader being sought for extradition to the United States on drug charges was granted bail Tuesday 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 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 Emery in Ontario, but they were having trouble finding three B.C. land 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." He said he expected Williams, 50, a resident of North Vancouver, to be released on five sureties worth $5,000 each. Under the conditions of his release, Emery must cease operations of his marijuana seed-selling business, which is partly operated through the Internet. Outside court, Emery's lawyer, John Conroy, noted 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 Emery's Web site has been offering the seeds for sale. Conroy said while "a lot of money" moved through bank accounts controlled by Emery, the funds didn't stay there and were not used to acquire any assets for his client. "Mr. Emery does not have substantial assets." 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom