Pubdate: Tue, 11 May 2010 Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB) Copyright: 2010 The Edmonton Journal Contact: http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/letters.html Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134 Author: Laura Baziuk, Canwest News Service Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Marc+Emery POT 'PRINCE' TO BE EXTRADITED Marc Emery Faces Drug, Money-Laundering Charges in U.S. Canada's self-proclaimed Prince of Pot was ordered extradited Monday to face drug and money-laundering charges in the United States. Marijuana activist Marc Emery turned himself in to police custody Monday morning and was informed that Justice Minister Robert Nicholson has ordered his extradition. The British Columbia man had been out on bail since the fall, while facing a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to manufacture marijuana in the U.S. The charges against Emery and two of his associates at his Culture Cannabis store in Vancouver were filed after they were caught selling marijuana seeds across the border. "I think there's a great deal of shock and disappointment," said Emery's lawyer, Kirk Tousaw. "It's clear to me that this is a deeply unpopular move by the Conservative government." Tousaw said Emery, 51, will likely be transferred across the border sometime this week, but there is a chance that the activist might serve his sentence in Canada. Based on a treaty Canada has with the U.S. over the transfer of prisoners, Tousaw said his client must be convicted in the U.S. and that country must then support the transfer. "We have been advised that the U.S. will support the treaty transfer," Tousaw said. The decision will then go to Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, but Tousaw said it's "really impossible" to say when Emery could return to Canada. Emery protested the decision outside B.C. Supreme Court Monday. "There is nothing to be gained by this government for extraditing me," said Emery as he stood with his wife, Jodie, in front of supporters. Canadians will be "very, very angry" if he is sent to the U.S., Emery added, because it will mean the minister will have turned a "tin ear" to the country's sovereignty. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake