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Pot Activist Sells Seeds To Advance Cause
Pubdate: Fri, 15 Sep 2006
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Vancouver Sun
Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Doug Ward, Vancouver Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
POT ACTIVIST SELLS SEEDS TO ADVANCE CAUSE
Dana Larsen Flouts Law With New Vancouver Store to Promote Legalization
Vancouver pot activist Dana Larsen was on the phone at his new
Vancouver Seed Bank storefront Thursday, telling a caller from
Wisconsin that he has no plans to sell pot seeds to Americans through
the mail.
Larsen told the potential client that he doesn't want to make the
mistake made by his long-time friend and colleague Marc Emery who sold
marijuana seeds to U.S. addresses.
"I don't want to be extradited to the U.S. for selling seeds down
there," Larsen, 35, explained, shortly after the phone call.
"Even in Canada the selling of marijuana seeds is in a grey zone of
legality. But the penalties in Canadian law don't seem to be very severe."
American prosecutors are seeking the extradition of Emery, Vancouver's
self-styled Prince of Pot, for selling marijuana seeds to Americans
through the mail, conspiracy to manufacture pot and conspiracy to
engage in money laundering.
Emery was arrested last year after police raided his pot paraphernalia
store in Vancouver following a lengthy investigation by the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration. He is currently free on bail.
Larsen, manager of the three-month-old Vancouver Seed Bank, said his
business will fill the vacuum left by the prosecution of Emery, his
long-time colleague and friend.
Emery's storefront and online seed operation was shut down last year
by the Vancouver police department at the request of the U.S. government.
Larsen said there are other stores in Vancouver where pot connoisseurs
can buy seeds and smoke marijuana. His store does not sell marijuana
but pot smokers are invited to relax in the store's new outdoor Garden
Lounge and toke in peace.
Larsen said he used to edit the magazine Cannibis Culture, which Emery
publishes. These days Emery is editor and publisher while Larsen
devotes himself to selling seeds.
"We largely opened this up because of what happened to Marc. And
because it's good for our cause. We try to put the money we make back
into the cause of legalization."
Larsen said Emery has no involvement with the Vancouver Seed Bank and
hasn't even visited the storefront because it could put him in legal
jeopardy.
Larsen said that he doesn't want to break the law or get
arrested.
"But we are here to stretch the law, to make a point," said
Larsen.
"I want to make a haven for marijuana culture and do it in a way that
the police hopefully prioritize us at the bottom of their list."
Which appears to be what is happening. VPD spokesman Const. Howard
Chow said the police are aware of the storefront but that other drug
issues have a higher priority, including heroin and cocaine
trafficking, crystal meth use and marijuana-growing operations.
Chow added that anyone selling marijuana seeds is breaking the law and
that the Vancouver Seed Company "shouldn't expect that they will be
allowed to operate with impunity and not attract the attention of our
drug squad."
Chow added that convictions for sale of marijuana seeds typically
result in fines -- a legal reality that gives comfort to seed merchant
Larsen.
"If that's what happens to us then we will pay our fine and try to
stay in business," said Chow.
"I don't think we are breaking the law in a serious enough way that we
are going to have problems here.
Larsen said that prices range from $30 to $120 for bags of 10 to 12
seeds. "It's a weed and it's very easy to grow," he added.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake