Pubdate: Sun, 14 Aug 2005
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 BC Newspaper Group and New Media Development
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Frank Bucholtz
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

EMERY DESERVES EXTRADITION

'Prince Of Pot' Is A Sophisticated Drug Pusher

Unlike many letter writers from across the continent, I'm pleased that Marc 
Emery is facing extradition to the United States for his role in 
propagating marijuana through his mail-order business.

Emery is a man who has profited mightily from illegal drugs. While he 
claims to have no assets, records show that $5 million has flowed through 
his hands in the past few years.

If he is so poor, how can he singlehandedly finance a political party and 
the campaigns of its many candidates? How can he run all the businesses he 
operates?

Emery has basically been able to operate his many pot businesses because 
police in Vancouver have looked the other way. They know that there is a 
lot of support for marijuana legalization in their city, and they are 
dependent on goodwill for their budget approvals, so they have stayed quiet.

As I've said before, I have no problems with marijuana for medicinal 
purposes. I believe it is a useful and likely better alternative to the 
drugs such as morphine that are used in hospitals and other health care 
facilities.

However, I see no purpose in legalizing it - particularly when we as a 
society are trying hard to eliminate tobacco use, because of the known 
health risks from smoking. Canada is having some success in that area - the 
rate of smoking continues to decline.

Why should this country go the other direction on marijuana? Why should we 
encourage its use, either through legalization or an ongoing refusal to 
prosecute those who profit from its sale?

Emery is entitled to keep pushing his cause, politically, legally and 
otherwise. It's a free country. People who use marijuana will certainly 
keep doing so - the letters from the pro-pot advocates are proof enough of 
that.

However, it remains illegal to sell marijuana and those who sell vast 
amounts of it, whether as seeds or full-grown B.C. Bud, should expect to 
pay a stiff price. The best place to pay that price is in the United 
States, where penalties are much more severe and enforcement agencies take 
marijuana more seriously.

Emery proved in the recent provincial election campaign here in Langley 
that he is a showboat. He made ridiculous comments, such as saying that 
people over 70 should not be entitled to health care. Yet his disciples 
continue to hang onto his every word as if he was some kind of prophet.

I believe he is just a drug pusher, and he deserves whatever punishment he 
will receive at the hands of American authorities.
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MAP posted-by: Beth