Pubdate: Sat, 06 Aug 2005
Source: Saturday Okanagan,  The (CN BC)
Page: Front Page
Copyright: 2005 Saturday Okanagan
Contact:  http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1206
Author: Canadian Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Marc+Emery (Emery, Marc)

PRISON WORTH IT IF POT LEGALIZED, SAYS EMERY

VANCOUVER -- A Canadian pot activist facing extradition to the United 
States says he's prepared to suffer in prison if it leads to the 
legalization of marijuana as he compared himself with Gandhi, Martin 
Luther King and Nelson Mandela after his release from jail on Friday

"If I thought my death or my lifetime imprisonment even at great 
suffering would bring about the liberation of hundreds, thousands and 
millions of people around the world who are oppressed, I am looking 
forward to that," Marc Emery said in an interview

Emery, released on $50,000 bail, is fighting extradition to the 
United States on charges that could send him to prison for at least 
10 years and possibly life

He said the people he admires most -- Gandhi, father of India's 
independence, anti-apartheid leader Mandela and King, the revered 
U.S. civil rights leader -- spent time in prison for their beliefs

"Their lives were still only one life compared to the millions that 
received hope and relief of suffering," he said

Emery, leader of the B.C. Marijuana Party, had been in custody since 
being arrested a week ago on U.S. charges of conspiracy and 
money-laundering related to selling marijuana seeds over the Internet

Although sentenced to three months on a pot charge in Saskatchewan 
last year, Emery could face between 10 years and life in a U.S. 
federal prison if extradited and convicted in the United States

U.S. authorities, who refer to Emery by his nickname the Prince of 
Pot, said they mounted an elaborate investigation and sting operation 
against him, including using undercover officers to purchase seeds 
that were then used to grow pot plants. They allege he advised agents 
how to smuggle the seeds across the border

Even before Emery, 47, and two other pot activists were arrested on 
U.S. extradition warrants, he said he had become suspicious about his 
nosy American clients.

"Eventually, I had an understanding that they were (undercover 
agents) because they started asking me about buying marijuana and I 
thought that was very odd because I never have sold marijuana," he said.

"Eventually I realized perhaps they are finalizing an investigation 
but that cannot change anything."

Emery spent a week in custody because it took time to raise the 
necessary security to post bonds.

His supporters are demanding federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler 
block the U.S. extradition request.

Although selling viable marijuana seeds is also a crime in Canada, no 
one has been charged in years. Critics also contend the U.S. sentence 
would be unduly harsh for a non-violent offence.

Cotler would not comment on the case but a spokesman said this week 
the extradition request would be allowed to take its course through 
the court system, which could take years if all appeals are pursued.

Emery said Friday he speaks for millions who believe in the cannabis 
plant, worship it and believe "it is a testament from God."

U.S. officials claim Emery has made millions of dollars from his seed 
business but Emery said Friday he's paid out more than he ever made.

He promised to release details of his finances in the coming days and 
said all of the money that has been earned from the seed business has 
been used in the campaign to legalize marijuana or fight charges 
against other activists.

"I gave away every dime I ever earned," he said. "It comes to 
millions and millions of dollars that I gave to every major 
organization in the world and in North American to legalize 
marijuana. I helped hundreds of people who were in jail with lawyers, 
with bail."

Emery said he paid about $380,000 in federal and B.C. income taxes 
between 2000 and 2005 and never hid the source of his income from the 
government.

The governments knew the taxes "were specifically from the proceeds 
of marijuana-seed sales and they were grateful to get that money," he 
said. "They were happy to have me as a payer." 
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