Pubdate: Wed, 13 Aug 2014
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network
Contact:  http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Dalson Chen
Page: B2

'PRINCE OF POT' RETURNS AFTER SERVING 5-YEAR U.S. JAIL TERM

WINDSOR, ONT. - Marc Emery, the "Prince of Pot," is back on Canadian 
soil, given a raucous welcome by supporters Tuesday after serving his 
U.S. jail sentence for selling marijuana seeds to Americans.

Loud cheers and large clouds of pot smoke arose as Emery, 56, arrived 
in this border city after completing his five-year term.

Scores of supporters chanted Emery's name, hailing him as "his highness."

Attendees waved flags, wore pro-pot costumes and clothing and openly 
smoked marijuana.

Several Windsor police officers observed from nearby but did not 
intervene except to ask people to stay on the sidewalks and off the roads.

James Lloyd, co-founder of the Hamilton Cannabis Club, offered Emery 
a custom-made pair of sneakers printed with an image of Emery smoking a joint.

"He's a knight," Lloyd said of the B.C. marijuana activist. "He's 
leading the way."

Emery said he is throwing his support behind Liberal Leader Justin 
Trudeau in the 2015 federal election.

"I have a lot more confidence in him than I have in any other 
Canadian politician," Emery said after crossing the tunnel from 
Detroit under the escort of U.S. marshals.

"I believe (Trudeau) will follow through and make marijuana legal in 
Canada - because it's the right thing to do, for one. It has the 
majority of Canadians supporting it, for another."

The news conference marked Emery's first moments in Canada since his 
incarceration on drug charges by the U.S. government in September 
2009. He finished his sentence in July.

"I guess (prison) has a redemptive quality," he said. "I feel good 
.. I did good things with my time. I learned to become a bassist in 
a rock 'n' roll band ... I read an extensive amount, I kept my mind agile."

Emery wasted little time renewing his declarations on his favourite 
issue, urging spectators - and the pot-smoking public - to "get 
serious" about politics and vote in the next federal election.

"We are going to go all in and put our faith in the Liberal Party of 
Canada in the next election, because I do believe they are sincere 
that they will legalize marijuana."

Before a cheering crowd, and with his wife, Jodie, by his side, Emery 
promised to "get rid of this pernicious prohibition."

"I will say this - I deplore and loathe (Prime Minister) Stephen 
Harper. I think he's an evil man," Emery said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom