Pubdate: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2015 The Lethbridge Herald Contact: http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239 Author: Tijana Martin Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?196 (Emery, Marc) ROYAL VISIT: 'PRINCE OF POT' THANKS LOCAL SUPPORTERS Reality of Marc Emery's Time in Prison Was Eased by Various Donations Marc Emery "the Prince of Pot" was in Lethbridge this past weekend to thank the community for its support. On Aug. 12, 2014, Emery was released from a United States federal prison after serving his five-year sentence after he pleaded guilty to selling marijuana seeds from Canada to American customers from 1995-2005. He was released after 54 months for good behaviour. "That was the result of a brilliant fundraising event I had to raise for the cannabis movement ... by selling seeds to Americans and people around the world, I was able to give away about five million dollars to activist groups all across North America," said Emery. While Emery was in prison, some Lethbridge residents organized fundraising events that contributed $6,000 to his commissary account in prison, according to Emery. "The money that was raised by the people of Lethbridge at these Christmas fundraisers every year was just invaluable, plus it was an incredible morale booster when you're in prison to think that many people would show from just one community," said Emery. Since being released, Emery has noticed a change in marijuana acceptance. "In that four-and-a-half years of incarceration, the world went from having no legal (marijuana) states in America to now having five," said Emery. And he feels that Canada will be quick to follow. "Canada has a candidate for Prime Minister and his party that wants to legalize marijuana, so it's possible that even in Lethbridge, Alberta we could see legal marijuana by the end of this year. "These are momentous times that I'm living in. I feel a good sacrifice was made that was worthwhile and the trade was very beneficial. If I would have had the opportunity to give up four-and-a-half years of my life in prison to gain what we have gained, then I would do that again in a flash. "Even if Stephen Harper were re-elected, I think the Conservative government would still legalize marijuana because the United States is going to - you have seven states coming up next year with legalization on the ballots and it's likely to pass in at least five of them," he said. Emery said he's sure that a medical marijuana dispensary will open up in Lethbridge some time this year, and vapour lounges as well. While marijuana may still be legal, vapour lounges across the country have found a grey zone to operate and often establish themselves as retail shops or eateries. "So by operating a lounge we don't really do anything illegal, we only allow people that are possessing it themselves to sit and congregate, because under the charter of rights people have the right to associate culturally with people." In Vancouver, there are more than 60 dispensaries currently open which sell up to 40 different kinds of marijuana. "I actually thought it would only be in my dreams that we would see those kinds of things, but they're happening right now in Vancouver," Emery said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom