Pubdate: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: David Carrigg, The Province Alert: Marc Emery Needs Your Support http://www.mapinc.org/alert/0359.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Marc+Emery EMERY'S PLEA-BARGAIN DEAL STALLS DUE TO DIFFERENT CANADA, U.S. LAWS A deal between U.S. and Canadian authorities that would see Vancouver-based pot czar Marc Emery spend jail time in both countries has stalled. "The Canadian government has told the United States they don't think the deal is workable under Canadian law," said Jodie Emery, Marc's wife. In January, Emery revealed he was working on a plea bargain that would allow him to serve the bulk of a five-year U.S. jail term in a Canadian jail. As part of the plea bargain charges against two of Emery's colleagues would be dropped. Emery is facing extradition to the U.S. on charges of conspiring to distribute marijuana seeds, conspiring to distribute marijuana and conspiring to engage in money laundering after being busted for selling seeds to U.S. buyers. By striking a plea bargain he would avoid extradition and a possible 20-year jail term. Emery, 50, runs a pro-marijuana media empire and heads the B.C. Marijuana Party. Emery said her husband was in the Supreme Court of B.C. yesterday to set a date for his possible extradition and discuss the plea deal. The court date was adjourned until April 9 due to confusion over whether Canada will accept the deal. The Canadian government's problem is that a Canadian judge cannot be ordered to impose a U.S. prison sentence of no release for at least five years because it is stricter than Canadian law requires. In Canada, a prisoner is released automatically after serving two-thirds of their sentence. Emery said her husband is in good spirits and the pair are expanding their Hastings Street store. "He's always upbeat. He's an optimist," she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake