Pubdate: Thu, 07 Aug 2014
Source: Sudbury Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Osprey Media
Contact: http://www.thesudburystar.com/letters
Website: http://www.thesudburystar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/608
Author: Jessica Murphy
Page: A6
Cited: National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws: http://norml.org
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?196 (Emery, Marc)

PRINCE OF POT LIKELY TO BACK TRUDEAU: MARIJUANA LOBBY ALLY

In Politics: Ground Shifting Rapidly on Pot Prohibition

WASHINGTON - Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau might have an ally in 
Canada's Prince of Pot - whether he likes it or not.

Allen St. Pierre - executive director of the National Organization 
for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, the oldest pro-legalization group 
in the U. S. - knows Marc Emery from their time fighting pot laws. He 
says Emery's likely itching to return to the fray after serving time 
in U. S. prison for marijuana distribution.

"I dare say that putting him in jail for five years did not reform 
him in the slightest. It only agitated him to the point where I think 
getting Mr. Trudeau elected as a reformer is going to be the singular 
thing he focuses on the most," St. Pierre said.

Both Emery and his wife say they're interested in running federally 
for the Liberals. The party has so far kept its distance.

But St. Pierre sees Emery throwing his support behind Trudeau regardless.

"You could have a partnership between a pro-marijuana publication 
owner and a major political candidate. It's like Mrs. Clinton being 
backed by High Times," he said.

For her part, Hillary Clinton has said she supports medical 
marijuana, but is taking a wait-and-see approach to legalization.

With the ground shifting rapidly on marijuana prohibition, candidates 
in major elections on both sides of the border won't be able to dodge 
the issue.

In the U. S., Alaska and Oregon are considering joining Colorado and 
Washington in legalizing pot. About 30% of Americans now live in 
jurisdictions with some form of decriminalization.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who is also weighing a 2016 
presidential bid, is critical of current drug laws and has called for 
mandatory minimums for pot to be repealed, but he isn't in favour of 
legalizing the drug.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who's openly considering another run for the 
Republican nomination, is in favour of decriminalization.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom