Pubdate: Sun, 16 Sep 2007
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 Calgary Herald
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Paula Beauchamp and Colette Derworitz
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?196 (Emery, Marc)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/grant.htm (Krieger, Grant)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal - Canada)

B.C. POT CRUSADER WHITE-HATTED

Canada's "Prince of Pot" has joined the ranks of Dolly Parton, Prince 
Philip and Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

Arriving at the Calgary airport for a two-day visit Saturday, 
Canada's best-known marijuana activist, Marc Emery, was white-hatted 
by the Calgary airport's official White Hat Volunteers.

"I'm the Prince of Pot," he said.

"That's a royalty, a monarchy of sorts, so I guess it fits."

Saturday's warm welcome, arranged by Emery's supporters, comes in 
stark contrast to his visit to Calgary in 2003 when Emery was 
arrested for marijuana possession.

Emery is in Calgary to show his support for medical marijuana 
crusader Grant Krieger, and to raise both awareness of his 
extradition proceedings and money for looming court battles.

Emery has been arrested 22 times on marijuana-related offences, and 
jailed 17 times.

He now faces a U.S. extradition hearing on Nov. 5. for selling 
thousands of marijuana seeds to Americans through his Internet business.

Emery's business partners, Gregory Keith Williams and Michelle 
Rainey-Fenkarek, were also charged.

About 40 people gathered to hear Emery speak at a No Extradition for 
the BC3 rally at City Hall on Saturday.

"We are hunted down like dogs, like animals," he said. "Why should 
someone like Grant Krieger, who wants to see sick and dying people 
get marijuana, go to jail?"

Krieger, who has multiple sclerosis, is out on bail after he was 
convicted of drug trafficking in March. The Calgary man had sent two 
packages of marijuana to people with similar afflictions in Manitoba.

On Saturday, Krieger said he was surprised but pleased that the 
airport had given Emery a white hat welcome.

"He truly deserves that hat. He is a freedom fighter," Krieger said.

Airport spokeswoman Jody Moseley said the airport does not have a 
policy governing who can receive a white hat welcome. "It has not 
been necessary to date," she said.

Mayor Dave Bronconnier said anyone could be white-hatted by any 
Calgarian if they go out and buy the hat.

But he added, "Just because white hats are available . . . doesn't 
mean everyone should get one."

Ald. Ric McIver said the airport authority should be careful about 
who is publicly recognized so as not to devalue the symbol, but said 
he did not know enough about Emery to comment.

Lorn Sheehan, chairman of the board of directors of Calgary Tourism, 
said Calgary should show hospitality to a broad range of people.

"If you white-hat absolutely terrible people, it could devalue (the 
practice)," he said.

"But if this man is walking the streets, he can't be that terrible." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake