Pubdate: Tue, 09 Aug 2005
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: The Windsor Star 2005
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Kirk Tousaw
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1240/a03.html

A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT

Your editorial on the Marc Emery extradition situation made several
very apt points. One critical portion of the extradition act was,
however, overlooked. The justice minister must also refuse to
surrender Emery, president of the B.C. Marijuana party, Michelle
Rainey, vice-president, and reform activist Greg Williams if it
appears that the U.S. prosecution is politically motivated.

When one considers that there are literally dozens of seed sellers
operating on the Internet and in retail locations in Vancouver and
elsewhere in Canada, yet the DEA only targeted Emery, the conclusion
that this is a political persecution is inescapable.

The DEA has as much as admitted the motivations.

They call Emery arrogant and gloat that now they will no longer need
to listen to him. And that is exactly the point: Emery was targeted
because he is a vocal and effective advocate for marijuana law reform.
He funds reform efforts throughout the world, but predominately in the
United States and Canada.

The U.S. federal government's war on drugs is, in a very real way,
mostly a war on marijuana despite the fact that almost 100 million
Americans have used marijuana and a large percentage support reform.

Even more -- upward of 80 per cent support medical marijuana, yet the
U.S. federal government does not even recognize that marijuana has any
medical benefits, calling it a cruel hoax on patients.

Make no mistake about it: Emery has been targeted because of his
political activism.

Allowing him to be extradited to the United States sets an extremely
dangerous precedent for democracy and Canadian political freedom.

Kirk Tousaw

Campaign Manager

British Columbia Marijuana Party

Vancouver, B.C.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake