. <
.
This is the United States on Liberalism.......
Posted on 08/02/2005 4:40:38 PM PDT by F14 Pilot
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - A judge rejected a U.S. request that a Canadian marijuana activist be held without bail on Tuesday in a case that is likely to ignite debate over the countries' diverging drug policies.
U.S. officials say Marc Emery illegally sold millions of dollars worth of marijuana seeds, but Emery's supporters say his business activities were well known for years and tolerated by groups that included Canada's federal health ministry.
Emery is a founder of the pro-legalization B.C. Marijuana Party and his arrest comes as the Canadian government is pushing a measure to decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot, drawing the ire of the U.S. government.
"Here we have a situation in which for years (Canadian police) turned a blind eye ... but now they're assisting in a U.S. investigation," defense attorney John Conroy said outside the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver.
Vancouver has a handful of cafes where pot is smoked openly, including one near Emery's downtown business.
Associate Chief Justice Patrick Dohm ordered Emery, 47, freed on C$50,000 ($41,000) bail to await hearings on a U.S. extradition request -- a process that could take years to complete. Two others arrested with Emery also received bail.
Emery was arrested Friday, the same day that Vancouver Police, acting on a warrant requested by the United States, raided his seed business and bookstore. The location also serves as the political party's headquarters.
A U.S. grand jury in Seattle has indicted Emery for conspiracy to distribute marijuana seeds and marijuana as well as for money laundering. He would face up to life in prison if convicted in the United States.
U.S. undercover agents bought seeds from Emery in Vancouver and asked how to smuggle them into the United States. It is also alleged seeds sold over the Internet were used by illegal marijuana growers in several states.
An official with the Canadian Department of Justice, which will represent the United States in the extradition process, declined comment on the bail decision, but said Canada had an obligation to uphold its extradition treaties.
Emery, a Canadian citizen, has not been charged with breaking any Canadian laws. Selling pot seeds is illegal in Canada unless they are to be used for medical marijuana or if they cannot be germinated.
Conroy said the case raises questions about who has jurisdiction over the Internet since the Web was used to take orders but the seed business was located in Canada.
Health Canada told people who have been given medical permission to smoke marijuana to use Internet seed suppliers such as Emery if they want to grow their own plants, Conroy said.
The B.C. Marijuana Party has fielded candidates in two provincial elections, but has never won any races.
Dummies are every where!
Here's a great opportunity for the U.S. federal government to waste a few hundred thousand dollars.
The guy sells marijuana seed. Ever heard of anyone being harmed by marijuana seed?
Here's a great opportunity for the U.S. federal government to waste a few hundred thousand dollars.
The guy sells marijuana seed. Ever heard of anyone being harmed by marijuana seed?
Got one stuck between my teeth once. Man that hurt.
Our prisons are not full enough. We need to go out and import prisoners now.
As opposed to legal growers?
Relax, we will make room for him. Granted,it might be an early release of a sex offender.....but hey...I'm willing to take the risk to get a dangerous guy like this out of circulation!!!!!
. <
.
This is the United States on Liberalism.......
Cigarettes are a more harmful threat to health and well being than any of the other drugs the general population accepts for regular usage.
No kidding....we gotta have priorities, ya know? The potheads are the worst of the worst! Send them down to Guantanamo if need be.
</sarcasm>
I recomend a vaporizer if a person is worried about the tars and other things in pot smoke, if thats what you meant.
There are posters on FR who equate cannabis proponents with child molesters and terrorists. They'll be along soon.
Marijuana prohibition is the result of a combination of racist politics, 1920's Hearst-style yellow journalism, and corporate lobbying.
Combine that with the SCOTUS's never-ending expansion of the interstate commerce clause (the Constitution's tragic flaw, IMHO), the current deeply entrenched Drug War bureaucracy, and the vast number of people who make their living from prosecuting and warehousing drug offenders, we end up with a recipe for unrestrained government power.
We all know what unrestrained government power leads to - TYRANNY.
Love your screen name - that was a GREAT movie.
They're already here....they also are part of the "mainstream" of the GOP, but I love arguing w/ them about the absurdity of criminalizing those of us who enjoy smoking marijuana while @ the same time they think it's absolutely terrible for local governments to make it more difficult for tobacco addicts to smoke cigarettes.
Granted, I used to be addicted to nicotine (I quit a lil over 2 & 1/2 yrs ago THANK GOD), & I agree w/ them 110% re: how outrageous it is to intrude on smoker's rights...but the hypocrisy they exucde over marijuana is pathetic & they should be called on it.
And I'm ready for them. The old "Liberty for me, but not for thee" crowd.
I agree w/ you...altho I've lost a lotta respect for the Canadians due to their left-wing/socialistic policies, this too is ONE issue where I would love for them to totally embarrass the US about: I hope that they will eventually legalize the personal, private use of marijuana for adults & tell President Bush where to shove it.
GO, Canada!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.