Pubdate: Wed, 13 Aug 2014
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Dalson Chen
Page: B1

'PRINCE OF POT' BACK IN CANADA AFTER SERVING U. S. DRUGS SENTENCE

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. And it's going to 
make history."

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.

Jodie Emery wants to run in next year's federal election for the 
Liberals in her home riding of Vancouver East.

"Marijuana prohibition is doomed to fail," she said. "It's only a 
matter of time before every state - and all of Canada - legalizes marijuana."

The gathering also attracted marijuana enthusiasts from across the border.

Richard Clement, a 57- year-old Detroit municipal employee, described 
Emery's story as "an international thing." Clement embraced Jodie 
Emery and apologized on behalf of the U. S.

"I really meant it. Because we're sick and tired of their drug war," 
Clement said. "It is an outrage. I mean, we still fighting the fight. 
It's on the march ... It's a civil rights struggle."

Matt Mernagh of Toronto, author of the Marijuana Smoker's Guidebook, 
acted as an impromptu MC.

"It's a beautiful day to smoke pot in the city of Windsor," Mernagh 
said to the crowd. "( Marc's return) is the end of a journey, not 
just for Marc, but ( for) a whole bunch of advocates and activists. 
These are important times in Canadian prohibition history."

- - with files from The Canadian Press 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom