Pubdate: Fri, 12 Aug 2005
Source: Orillia Today (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005, Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.simcoe.com/sc/orillia/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1508
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?196 (Emery, Marc)

POT ACTIVIST UNJUSTLY ARRESTED

No Charges Were Filed In Canada

On July 29, the RCMP arrested Marc Emery, Leader of the British Columbia 
Marijuana Party, along with fellow activists Michelle Rainey-Fenkarek and 
Gregory Williams.

These arrests were the result of a U.S. Federal Grand Jury indictment on 
charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, Conspiracy to Distribute 
Marijuana Seeds and Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering.

Since Emery is alleged to have sold many of his seeds to U.S. customers, 
the investigation in Canada was actually led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement 
Administration under the terms of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

The most disturbing fact is that the U.S. Attorney's Office has filed an 
extradition request with the Canadian government that all three Canadians 
be brought to Seattle to stand trial.

If convicted in the U.S. on either of the marijuana charges, they could 
face cruel prison sentences ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life in 
prison.

Therefore the Libertarian Party of Canada calls upon Canada's Minister of 
Justice, Irwin Cotler, to block the extradition of Marc Emery and his 
associates, and to set them free. We also urge Parliament to narrow the 
types of crimes that are covered by extradition treaties in order to 
protect Canadians from legal domination by foreign governments.

Although the sale of cannabis seeds is also illegal in Canada, Emery has 
not been charged by Canadian authorities, who are well aware that Canada 
has a medical-marijuana program.

U.S. officials have falsely characterized Emery as motivated by greed, but 
the truth is that, in addition to serving those who are in desperate need 
of medical marijuana, the proceeds of his seed business have been directed 
towards political activism and compassionate aid for drug addicts.

It seems clear that Emery was targeted because of his prominence as a 
political activist and this is another reason why the Minister of Justice 
should choose to rule against extradition.

Libertarians believe in the principles of self-ownership and individual 
liberty. We believe that governments act aggressively when they violate 
these principles by interfering with an individual's freedom to buy, sell 
or use drugs such as marijuana for medicinal or other purposes.

We believe that each individual should be free to live as they choose, as 
long as they do not aggress against the life and property of others. 
Non-coercive means should be used to discourage the abuse of dangerous 
drugs instead of the destructive application of the criminal justice system.

That is why we call on Parliament and the people of Canada to not only 
decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana but to also work 
towards the abolition of the disastrous policy of drug prohibition, which 
results in increased criminal activity and the unjust imprisonment of 
peaceful citizens.

The Libertarian Party of Canada
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