Pubdate: Mon, 08 Aug 2005
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Edmonton Journal
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Bob Bell
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1243/a10.html?101188
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1239/a02.html?101188

EMERY'S EXTRADITION POSES NO THREAT TO CANADIAN SOVEREIGNTY

Re: "Pot case threatens sovereignty," Letters, Aug. 4.

Marc Emery's arrest in no way threatens Canadian sovereignty.

He is accused of breaking U.S. law by exporting marijuana seeds to the U.S. 
The Americans obviously feel they have gathered enough evidence to 
successfully prosecute him under their laws and have presented their 
evidence to a Canadian court and requested he be extradited.

It is my understanding that there will be a full extradition hearing here 
before he is sent to the U.S. to stand trial.

If, as an example, a U.S. citizen broke Canadian laws, say child 
pornography, we would or at least could ask for his extradition from the 
U.S. to stand trial here. Do the letter writers think this example would be 
a violation of U.S. sovereignty?

Canada has neither legalized nor decriminalized marijuana despite numerous 
commissions, surveys, etc. that indicate Canadians would be in favour of 
decriminalization.

Does anyone remember the Le Dain Commission report of 1970 or thereabouts? 
I believe it recommended decriminalization but, as with anything not to do 
with women or gay rights, it was quickly buried.

Personally, I have a great deal of respect and empathy for Emery and 
believe he is fighting the good fight to have marijuana legalized.

But I do not believe for one minute that he did not know he was violating 
American laws by shipping seeds to the U.S.

He is smarter than that and should have known that he was playing in the 
big leagues, so to speak, when he risked breaking American laws.

Unlike Canada, the U.S. enforces its laws and punishes its lawbreakers. 
That is called justice and is as it should be; if he is found to have 
broken the law, he will have to answer for it.

Bob Bell, High Level
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom