Pubdate: Thu, 23 Mar 2006
Source: Mcgill Daily, The (CN QU Edu)
Copyright: 2006 The Mcgill Daily
Contact:  http://www.mcgilldaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2638
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?196 (Emery, Marc)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

CANADA SHOULD DEFEND POT ACTIVIST

Marc Emery, the leader of the BC Marijuana Party, is currently facing 
extradition to the Unites States after being arrested in Halifax by 
the RCMP, in concert with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency 
(DEA). He has not been charged of any crime in Canada, but in the 
United States he faces 30 years to life in prison on charges of 
conspiracy to manufacture marijuana, marijuana seeds, and to launder money.

The U.S. is afraid that support for Emery's ideas -- such as 
legalizing marijuana and other drugs or creating safe drug-use 
spaces- -- is gaining ground in the U.S., and that his continued 
freedom poses a threat to the criminalization of marijuana and 
marijuana users in that country. Their fear is certainly correct, 
which is why we believe Emery should be allowed to stay in Canada so 
he can continue his campaign.

The DEA's July 29, 2005 press release described the motives for 
Emery's arrest. "Today's DEA arrest of Marc Scott Emery, publisher of 
Cannabis Culture magazine, and the founder of a marijuana 
legalization group is a significant blow not only to the marijuana 
trafficking trade in the U.S. and Canada, but also the marijuana 
legalization movement," it begins, adding: "Hundreds of thousands of 
dollars of Emery's illicit profits are known to have been channeled 
to marijuana legalization groups in the United States and Canada. 
Drug legalization lobbyists now have one less pot of money to rely on."

Emery's extradition to the United States has become an important 
issue in Parliament, as some Members of Parliament believe that the 
DEA's arrest of Emery is a political move that infringes on Canadian 
sovereignty. Others believe that it is a heavy-handed attempt to get 
Canada to join the American war on drugs.

We believe Emery is being targeted not because of his alleged crimes, 
but because of his campaign against drug prohibition in Canada and 
the U.S. Thanks to years of activism by Emery and others, Canada has 
relaxed its enforcement of marijuana possession laws. Emery's fight 
against drug prohibition has contributed to the adoption of an 
extremely progressive harm-reduction policy by the Vancouver city 
government, including Canada's first safe-injection site -- a place 
where heroin users can get free, clean needles and use them on-site.

Canada must protect its citizens, and should refuse to extradite 
Emery. We believe, along with much of Canadian society, that 
marijuana and other drugs should be decriminalized. Emery's 
extradition would be a significant blow to the movement, and 
represents an attempt by the U.S. to influence Canadian drug policy, 
which runs counter to its own.

Emery will be speaking at McGill at 6:30 on Thursday March 23, in 
Leacock 132. We encourage students to show their support of him and his cause.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom