Pubdate: Thu, 14 Aug 2014
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Giuseppe Valiante
Page: 44

SEEDS OF ANXIETY

Prince of Pot Says He Makes Grits Nervous

OTTAWA - Marijuana activist Marc Emery promises to campaign for the 
federal Liberals, but he says the party doesn't seem to want anything 
to do with him.

One day after his release from U.S. prison, Emery said the Liberals' 
anxiety about him is causing problems for his wife, Jodie Emery, 29, 
who is running for the Liberal nomination in the Vancouver East riding.

"I think (the Liberals) are nervous about me and it's reflected in 
the way they are treating my wife," he said Wednesday morning in 
Toronto. He didn't elaborate.

Marc Emery walked into Canada Tuesday a free man, after serving 4 1/2 
years in a Louisiana prison for selling millions of marijuana seeds 
to the U.S. from his B.C. business.

His pro-pot activism - and the millions he made selling seeds - 
earned him the title Prince of Pot.

A Liberal Party spokesman wouldn't comment directly on Jodie's 
upcoming campaign, only saying that "(The Liberals) have open 
nominations in every riding and any Canadian can apply."

Emery said if the party runs a "transparent" nomination campaign in 
Vancouver East, Jodie will win.

"I'm very popular in that community and I have no doubt I can get 
hundreds of signatures," he said.

But Emery doubts the race will be clean.

However, he said he won't stop campaigning around the country to get 
people to vote Liberal.

Emery said the Liberals are the only party that advocates for 
marijuana legalization, despite concerns the position could alienate 
certain immigrant communities.

The Liberals should forget about the Chinese and Jewish votes because 
their support will likely go to the Conservatives, Emery said.

"The law-and-order and so-called right-wing agenda is appealing to 
the more reactionary immigrant groups that come to Canada," he said.

The Liberals should instead focus on "French Canadians, English 
Canadians, young professional people and urban people."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom