I just popped out to see what's happening at City Hall to find a group of young kids, some media, and a man with a mic talking about pot. Little did I know, this isn't just any man. This is the Prince of Pot, Marc Emery.Marc Emery is a Canadian cannabis and libertarian activist, as well as a former cannabis seed seller. United Statesgovernment officials have described Emery as a drug dealer for his
efforts to sell marijuana seeds nationally and abroad. He is the publisher ofCannabis Culture magazine. He ran for mayor of the city of Vancouver in 1996, 2002 and 2008. He is often referred to as the Prince of Pot.
A large banner donning "Different Strokes Presents: Marc Emery's Farewell Tour" hangs behind him as he paces back and forth infront of 60 or so people looking either disgusted or extremely interested.
Marc Emery is heading to jail. He will be convicted in Seattle, after pleading guilty to one count distribution (he sold marijuana seeds online).
According to Emery :
On the charge of marijuana distribution I will plead to, the Assistant DA, Mr. Greenburg, is going to be asking for 5 – 8 years. My lawyers will ask for less, much less, in punishment, but it's likely to be a stint in a US federal prison.I would have some very good arguments in my favor at a sentencing hearing: I did all my activities openly, transparently, paid taxes on earnings in full view of all Canadians for ten years. I had clear political motives, gave away over $4,000,000 to the movementin that ten years, and there are no victims here.Upon my conviction, my wife Jodie will organize a campaign to have me transferred back to a Canadian jail - if transferred my sentence would reflect Canadian rules of release, so a 5-year sentence may see me released after a few years to day parole.
Very interesting choice of venue - Kitchener City Hall - to essentially hold a rally promoting the legalization of marijuana and a campaign to "Free Marc Emery".
I kind of like it.
Just another reason to love the diversity of Downtown Kitchener. Right?
I think the debate around Emery's extradition is really interesting. He makes the point that there are far worse drug offenders at large in the United States (the country to which he's being sent) and his "crimes" amount to selling seeds on the internet. This offences have earned him the title of the 46th most wanted criminal by the US, and the most wanted by the DEA. Wow.
ReplyDeleteEmery undermines the US's War On Drugs because he's a public figure who loves getting arrested so he can bring before the courts the consitutional in-validity (as he sees it) of anti-freedom laws. He spoke out against legislation that made shops close on Sunday's in London, ON; he has protested banning books and other media; and now he sells pot pariphinelia on the web and will probably go to jail in the states for 5 years because of it.
What's odd is that it's such a high profile case. The DEA has put significant pressure on the city of Vancouver, the RCMP, and the Gov. of Canada to get this guy to shut up.
Canada doesn't extradite for political reasons, or so we say. However, there's way more to this case than a few pounds of bud. Just follow the money. I wonder: how much cash is US law enforcement spending on getting this one guy into a prison?