Pubdate: Wed, 16 Jan 2008
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2008 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Paul Berton
Alert: Marc Emery Needs Your Support http://www.mapinc.org/alert/0359.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

AMERICANS ARE DOPES ON POT

Such are the curiosities of the Canadian -- and American -- justice 
systems that Marc Emery, Canada's so-called "prince of pot" is likely 
headed to jail for longer than some violent offenders.

It's another signal that old-fashioned views on marijuana are in 
desperate need of a reality check.

Emery, a Vancouver business owner, agreed this week to plead guilty 
to U.S. charges of selling marijuana seeds to American buyers over 
the Internet. Arrested in 2005 in Halifax at the request of U.S. 
authorities, he made the deal so he could spend the five-year prison 
term in Canada.

But the colourful Emery remains defiant: "I'm really pleased and 
proud of what I've done. I wish I could have done more to piss the 
U.S. government off."

Emery is no stranger to such antics. He gained a reputation early in 
his career in London, Ont., attacking authorities over free speech, 
Sunday shopping and legalized marijuana.

He dared authorities to arrest him, and once smoked a joint in front 
of the London police station, a stunt he repeated in cities across 
the country. He spent two months in a Saskatoon jail for lighting up 
in public there.

The founder of the B.C. Marijuana Party says he's "a victim of 
political advocacy" and says he did no wrong: "There's no victim in 
my case. There's nobody claiming I hurt them."

Alan Young, a professor at Osgood Hall Law School at York University 
who knows Emery, also questions the system: "I think it's remarkable 
that I could cripple someone and put them in hospital . . . and get 
less time than Marc will serve."

While many Canadians simply don't care if marijuana is decriminalized 
or not, an increasing number wonder why the justice system spends so 
much energy and money on people such as Emery. Given society's myriad 
of ills, Americans should be equally concerned.

It may be only a matter of time before Emery, no matter how annoying 
he may be to some, will be lauded as a pioneer and common-sense 
trailblazer -- and perhaps even be rewarded with elected office. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake