Pubdate: Thu, 30 Jul 2009
Source: Telegram, The (CN NF)
Copyright: 2009 The Telegram
Contact:  http://www.thetelegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/303
Author: Everton McLean, Staff Writer

PRINCE OF POT SAYS FAREWELL

Politics/Legislation Urges End To Prohibition Against Marijuana Use

Cannabis culture supporters came out to Bannerman Park in big numbers
Wednesday to bid farewell to Marc Emery, also known as the Prince of
Pot, before he's sent to the United States this fall to face marijuana
charges.

Emery, who's doing a cross-Canada tour before being sentenced in the
fall to what is expected to be five years in a U.S. prison, said about
265 people gathered in the park to hear him speak.

He said it was the third biggest showing out of the four cities he's
visited so far.

"Getting 265 people in the park was just wonderful," he said.

Emery said part of his reason for doing the tour was to praise the
effects of marijuana and various uses of the cannabis plant - a plant
he says has contributed greatly to society.

"Everything that's beautiful in our society was brought by somebody
who smoked pot," he said, citing bands such as The Beatles, Rolling
Stones, Led Zeppelin and Green Day as "potheads", as well as was Steve
Jobs when he developed the Mac computer, and Bill Gates when he
developed his operating system.

"Shakespeare, his pipe has tested positive for cannabis," said Emery

"At the same time, everything that's legal out there is bad for you
and will kill you."

Call for legalization

Emery also used the event to call on people to work towards ending
what he calls a prohibition against marijuana.

He encouraged people at the meeting to write their senator and ask him
or her to reject Bill C-15, which would create a minimum sentence of
six months for possession of one marijuana pant.

He also encouraged people to vote for parties that support marijuana
use, or at least not vote for Stephen Harper's Conservatives, who are
strictly against its use.

"I said, 'I know for a fact that most of you did not vote in the last
federal election because your cynical about whether voting will do any
good.' I pointed out one thing's for sure, not voting will absolutely
not do any good."

Emery's next stop on his tour is in Montreal Friday.
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr