A reasoned political debate about marijuana is almost as impossible as debating abortion laws or climate change. Still, some voices have more influence, and right now one of them is Justin Trudeau's. The Liberal leader wants marijuana legalized. This comes after his opinion "evolved" from the more moderate stand of decriminalization. This has flummoxed the federal Conservatives because Trudeau's position leans toward where more Canadians are and against the natural tendencies of a tough-on-crime government. Unless you're using it for medicinal reasons, marijuana is bad for you. Lethargy, short-term memory loss and the damaging effect on lungs if you smoke too much are among the more commonly agreed-upon effects. [continues 510 words]
Marc Emery tells hundreds at rally to vote for Liberals in next federal election Marc Emery's homecoming party Sunday turned into a rally for Justin Trudeau as the "Prince of Pot" urged his supporters to "just show up" and vote Liberal in 2015. Emery appeared before a crowd of hundreds in Vancouver's Victory Square park, and said next year's federal election will be a referendum on pot. Trudeau has promised that if he is elected prime minister, marijuana will be legalized. [continues 531 words]
Regarding the editorial Emery's high hopes a political downer? (Aug. 15). Nice to see that reefer madness is still alive and well and living in London Ontario. I refer of course to your lopsided tirade against Marc Emery. Most of the anti-Marc media I have read recently seems to be nothing more than an attempt to discredit the person, neatly side-stepping the actual issue, which is the ridiculous continuation of prohibition. I say more power to you Mr. Emery. Paul Blakey Sechelt, BC [end]
You have to give Marc Emery credit: After more than four years in a U.S. prison, he can still draw a crowd. Better yet (from his point of view), he can still wrangle the news media. The "Prince of Pot," as journalists and his disciples have dubbed him, has certainly earned that nickname. A native of London, Ont., he has spent most of his adult life championing the cause of cannabis policy reform. He lit joints on the steps of police stations and city halls across the country. He sold marijuana seeds, home-grow books, bongs and other paraphernalia from storefronts in at least two provinces, encouraging others across Canada to do the same. He launched a cannabis-themed magazine. He founded a legal assistance centre for those seeking to challenge existing drug laws. He started Pot-TV, a video channel devoted to marijuana culture and politics. [continues 665 words]
Justin Trudeau made a bold move by hitching the federal Liberal wagon to the campaign to legalize marijuana. But does he really want Marc Emery sitting up front with a hand on the reins? Emery, who calls himself "Prince of Pot," returned to Canada last week after spending four years in a U.S. prison, and almost as soon as his foot touched Canadian soil, he pledged his support to Trudeau and the Liberals. His wife, Jodie, plans to run for the party in the election that is expected next year. [continues 542 words]
A lot has happened since Marc Emery went to jail in the United States four years ago. Not the least of which the state in which the Vancouver pot activist was sentenced to five years in federal prison for dealing marijuana seeds has now legalized the sale of cannabis. While Emery cooled his heels behind bars in Folkston, Ga., and Yazoo City, Miss., Colorado and then Washington became the first states to allow the possession, use, production, distribution and personal cultivation of marijuana. Some states have legalized its use for medical reasons. Another 15 states have decriminalized pot while other states have lowered penalties for possession of small amounts to a misdemeanour. [continues 176 words]
Marc and Jodie Emery on life in jail, their role in the legalization movement and the plan to seek 'political revenge' Marc Emery's two decades of marijuana activism and entrepreneurship have earned him the nickname "The Prince of Pot" and 23 trips to jail. The most recent, a 4 1/2-year stint in U.S. federal custody for his mail-order pot seed business, is now at an end. Awaiting deportation back to Canada, he spoke to Maclean's about his plans for the future from inside a Louisiana detention centre. His wife and fellow activist, Jodie Emery, joined in from their Vancouver home. [continues 1548 words]
Marc Emery may think of himself as a marijuana messiah, leading the long-suffering to deliverance from pot laws they believe unfairly punish them and restrict their freedom to smoke up. No stranger to ego, Emery may even believe he's the chosen cannabis crusader. But Canada's self-styled "Prince of Pot" - just released from a U.S. prison, after doing 4 1/2 years for selling marijuana seeds into the U.S. from Vancouver - makes a poor martyr for the kind of electoral backlash he imagines he will now inspire against the federal Conservative government he vilifies. [continues 289 words]
TORONTO- The Prince of Pot was welcomed home in Yonge-Dundas Square Thursday after serving a prison term south of the border. Marc Emery and his wife, Jodie, greeted supporters who came out to add their voices to those calling for the legalization of marijuana. It was a small but dedicated group who didn't let a little rain stop them. "It's been wonderful, people have been terrific. It's like I never left," Emery said. The crowd was made up of pro-marijuana activists, medical marijuana patients and passersby curious to see Emery and listen to what he had to say. [continues 106 words]
No stranger to ego, Emery may even believe he's the chosen cannabis crusader. But Canada's self-styled "Prince of Pot" - just released from a U.S. prison, after doing 4 1/2 years for selling marijuana seeds into the U.S. from Vancouver - makes a poor martyr for the kind of electoral backlash he imagines he will now inspire against the federal Conservative government he vilifies. No sooner was the B.C. man back across the border from Detroit, than he was vowing vengeance against the Tories. [continues 268 words]
Downtown rally. 'Prince of Pot' says U.S. jail term hasn't deterred him from continuing the fight for marijuana legalization The Prince is officially home. Marc Emery, B.C.'s infamous "Prince of Pot," was welcomed by hundreds at a downtown rally when he returned to Vancouver Sunday afternoon, vowing to pick up where he left off after serving time on drug-related charges in the United States. "It's all kind of dreamlike. Vancouver has changed dramatically.... The legalization landscape itself has changed dramatically," he said upon his arrival at the Vancouver International Airport. [continues 326 words]
