Pubdate: Fri, 10 Mar 2017
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Page: A3

POT ACTIVISTS CHARGED, STORES RAIDED

TORONTO - Prominent marijuana activists Marc and Jodie Emery were
charged with multiple drug-related offences in Toronto on Thursday
after police in several cities raided pot dispensaries associated with
the pair.

The self-styled "Prince" and "Princess of Pot" were arrested at
Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Wednesday evening. They
appeared briefly in a courtroom on Thursday afternoon before police
announced the full list of charges they faced.

Marc Emery faces 15 counts, including conspiracy to commit an
indictable offence, trafficking, possession for the purpose of
trafficking, and possession of proceeds of crime, while Jodie Emery is
charged with five similar counts.

The couple's Toronto lawyer said his clients were expected to appear
in court again on Friday.

"My clients were uncertain of what they'd been arrested for," Jack
Lloyd said outside court on Thursday. "They're in good spirits ... but
they're in custody, hopeful that we can have a productive bail hearing
tomorrow."

In Vancouver, another lawyer for the couple said they plan to fight
the charges.

"We've been fighting this battle an awfully long time. And we're going
to fight it right to the end. And I expect we're going to be
victorious," said Kirk Tousaw.

Jodie Emery mouthed the words "I love you" to her husband during the
couple's brief court appearance and flashed a peace sign to supporters
in the room before being admonished by the justice of the peace.

The Emerys own the Cannabis Culture brand, which is used by a chain of
19 marijuana dispensaries in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

Toronto police spokesperson Mark Pugash said seven Cannabis Culture
locations - five in Toronto, one in Hamilton and another in Vancouver
- - were searched on Thursday along with two homes in Toronto, one in
Stoney Creek, Ont., and one in Vancouver.

In addition to the Emerys, police charged three other people on
Thursday. Thirty-seven-year-old Chris Goodwin and 31-year-old Erin
Goodwin, both of Toronto, and 29-year-old Britney Guerra of Stoney
Creek face charges that include conspiracy to commit an indictable
offence.

The federal government is moving to legalize marijuana, but Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized late last year that the current
laws exist.

The fact that the law still exists doesn't mean police and Crown
prosecutors must enforce it, said Tousaw.

Police forces across the country have been raiding pot shops in recent
months and charging owners with trafficking-related offences.
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MAP posted-by: Matt