Marc Emery Accepts Plea: 10-Year US and Canadian Prison Sentence

420smokeman · 01-15-2008, 11:07 AM

Marc Emery Accepts Plea: 10-Year US and Canadian Prison Sentence

VANCOUVER - Marc Emery, Vancouver's self-styled Prince of Pot, has tentatively agreed to a five-year prison term in a plea bargain over U.S. money laundering and marijuana seed-selling charges. Facing an extradition hearing Jan. 21 and the all-but-certain prospect of delivery to American authorities, Emery has cut a deal with U.S. prosecutors to serve his sentence in Canada. He also hopes it will save his two co-accused - Michelle Rainey and Greg Williams, who were his lieutenants for so much of the past decade.

The American Government dictates Canadian policy
The three were arrested in August 2005 at the request of the United States and charged even though none had ventured south of the border. Since then, they have been awaiting the extradition hearing. With the proceedings about to begin, Emery says his lawyer brokered the best deal possible. If accepted by the courts in both countries, Emery said he will serve the full term and not be eligible for Canada's lenient get-out-of-jail-early rules. "I'm going to do more time than many violent, repeat offenders," he complained. "There isn't a single victim in my case, no one who can stand up and say, 'I was hurt by Marc Emery.' No one."

He's right. Whatever else you may think of Emery - and he grates on many people, what is happening here is a travesty of justice. Emery's case mocks our independence as a country. Prosecutors in Canada have not enforced the law against selling pot seeds and all you need do is walk along Hastings Street between Homer and Cambie for proof. There are numerous stores selling seeds and products for producing cannabis. Around the corner, you'll find more seed stores. You'll find the same shops in Toronto and in other major Canadian cities. The last time Emery was convicted in Canada of selling pot seeds, back in 1998, he was given a $2,000 fine. Emery has flouted the law for more than a decade and every year he sends his seed catalogue to politicians of every stripe.

He has run in federal, provincial and civic elections promoting his pro-cannabis platform. He has championed legal marijuana at parliamentary hearings, on national television, at celebrity conferences, in his own magazine, Cannabis Culture, and on his own Internet channel, Pot TV. Health Canada even recommended medical marijuana patients buy their seeds from Emery. From 1998 until his arrest, Emery even paid provincial and federal taxes as a "marijuana seed vendor" totalling nearly $600,000.

He is being hounded because of his success. The political landscape has changed dramatically as a result of Emery's politicking for cannabis. Emery challenged a law he disagrees with using exactly the non-violent, democratic processes we urge our children to embrace and of which we are so proud.

But along the way he has angered the anti-drug law-enforcement community - the same gang that insists we must continue an expensive War on Drugs that has failed miserably for more than a quarter century and does more harm than good. Canadian police grew so frustrated that neither prosecutors nor the courts would lock up Emery and throw away the key, they urged their U.S. counterparts to do the dirty work. And that's what's wrong.

Emery is being handed over to a foreign government for an activity we are loath to prosecute because we don't think it's a major problem. His two associates were charged only as a way of blackmailing him into copping a plea. It's a scandal. Emery is being made a scapegoat for an anti-cannabis criminal law that is a monumental failure. In spite of all our pricey efforts during the last 40 years, and all the demonization of marijuana, there is more pot on our streets, more people smoking dope and more damage being done to our communities as a result of the prohibition. There is a better way and every study from the 1970s Le Dain Commission onward has urged change and legalization.

Regardless of what you think of Emery, he should not be facing an unconscionably long jail term for a victimless, non-violent crime that generates a shrug in his own country. Emery is facing more jail time than corporate criminals who defrauded widows and orphans and longer incarceration than violent offenders who have left their victims dead or in wheelchairs.

And while he has long seemed to court martyrdom, Emery is by no means sanguine about what is happening. He is angry at local lawyers for failing to come up with a viable defence. "They had two years and $90,000 and they came up with nothing," he fumed. "John Conroy called me up and said 'take the deal - Michelle will die in jail. Michelle will die in jail!' What can I say to that?" Rainey, who has a medical exemption to smoke marijuana, has Crohn's disease. Incarceration in the U.S. would deprive her of her medicine, and she fears it could lead to her death.

"It's an ugly situation but Marc expects miracles," Kirk Tousaw, one of the lawyers involved, told me. "There aren't any here." He's right. Our extradition law puts Canadian citizens at the mercy of foreign governments and judges can't do much about it. Emery is being forced to accept a deal because not only are two of his friends in jeopardy if he doesn't, but also to go south for an unfair trial would mean serving as much as 20 years in prison, perhaps more. One of his friends, for example, was handed a 30-year sentence for growing 200 plants. This is wrong.

If Emery has been breaking the law and must be jailed, our justice department should charge him and prosecute him in Canada. It's time for Justice Minister Rob Nicholson to step in and say, sorry, Uncle Sam, not today - not ever.

Puffman · 01-16-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Article

With the proceedings about to begin, Emery says his lawyer brokered the best deal possible. If accepted by the courts in both countries, Emery said he will serve the full term and not be eligible for Canada's lenient get-out-of-jail-early rules.

This seems to me a little surprising that Emery would agree to such a plea bargain. The article talks about how much of an injustice this is (which I agree with), well why isn't Emery fighting this? The only way to right the injustice is through the courts, and for some reason he is bypassing that right. A true activist, that is anyone who is willing to do anything for the cause, would risk a slightly longer jail time and incarceration in a US prison (I really doubt that they are that much different, he is going to max. security) in an attempt to at least beat the injustice, if not create a lot more awareness through media coverage.

Sentinal · 01-16-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffman

This seems to me a little surprising that Emery would agree to such a plea bargain. The article talks about how much of an injustice this is (which I agree with), well why isn't Emery fighting this? The only way to right the injustice is through the courts, and for some reason he is bypassing that right. A true activist, that is anyone who is willing to do anything for the cause, would risk a slightly longer jail time and incarceration in a US prison (I really doubt that they are that much different, he is going to max. security) in an attempt to at least beat the injustice, if not create a lot more awareness through media coverage.

According to him, he is doing it to save his co-accused

zoltron · 01-16-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffman

This seems to me a little surprising that Emery would agree to such a plea bargain. The article talks about how much of an injustice this is (which I agree with), well why isn't Emery fighting this? The only way to right the injustice is through the courts, and for some reason he is bypassing that right. A true activist, that is anyone who is willing to do anything for the cause, would risk a slightly longer jail time and incarceration in a US prison (I really doubt that they are that much different, he is going to max. security) in an attempt to at least beat the injustice, if not create a lot more awareness through media coverage.

I totally agree. He's been spewing the 'everyone needs to do their part' kind of activism & he's basically selling-out to save his own ass 1st...THEN the co-defendants, imho.
As you can probably tell, I'm not a big fan of his...although I do feel bad for anyone who gets imprisoned under a cannabis-related charge. I wouldn't even be too surprised if he started dropping dimes like a scaghead at a candy machine just to save his own ass even moreso.
He's out for 'Marc Emery' 1st & all other problems are 2nd...imho. Although he shouldn't be doing any time.

Pepper_I · 01-16-2008, 10:19 PM

Just like Tommy Chong experienced, the system needs a scapegoat. The government threatens your entire family in order to extort a conviction. I believe Marc is also doing a noble thing by making the best deal possible.

Roach · 01-17-2008, 01:37 PM

Marc's ass has been chewed by so many in the past two decades ,I'm surprised he has any left.

History will always remember Marc Emery and the many personal risks he's taken to promote legal marijuana over many years.

So will I.

420smokeman · 01-17-2008, 10:59 PM

zoltron · 01-18-2008, 01:24 PM

There's 1 thing I DO agree with...No person(s) should be imprisoned for the possession or use of cannabis. It's an outrage that this insane War on Drugs is STILL in effect & I believe Ron Paul would be the most logical choice for US President.

However, Emery has got to be the most annoying, egotistical, self-centered individual 'Pot Activist' I've ever heard/seen. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he started dropping dimes like a scaghead at a candy machine...just to save his own ass 1st & then the 'BC 3'.
Anyone that ever did business with Emery Seeds [who I've spoken with] found his products unsatisfactory, wrong order, crushed & broken beans, & expensive as hell. I'd bet you he's got $$$ stashed in either a Swiss bank account or just buried in the Canadian wilderness.
If I was Canadian, I'd be embarrassed to have him representing the Weed Movement. I've spoken with the guy & believe me, he's out for #1...& that's not #2.

Roach · 01-18-2008, 02:43 PM

I always had a good business relationship with Marc. Never had a problem.

**v3d4** · 01-18-2008, 02:51 PM

all seed i got from him was bunk, every single one turned to herm

but i dont think hes selling out to save his ass... didnt part of this deal have something to do with michelle and greg not getting jail time?

as much as im not really a fan of his, i dont think he's the bad guy in this situation

420smokeman · 01-18-2008, 03:46 PM

CANAdian news coverage

zoltron · 01-18-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by v3d4

all seed i got from him was bunk, every single one turned to herm

but i dont think hes selling out to save his ass... didnt part of this deal have something to do with michelle and greg not getting jail time?

as much as im not really a fan of his, i dont think he's the bad guy in this situation

No, I don't think he's "the bad guy" & I don't think he or anyone else should be imprisoned for cannabis use or possession of.

I just don't think he's a very 'stand-up guy'....that he made millions of $$$ selling dogshit seeds. Just that 'Prince of Pot' handle could've gone to a way better candidate to represent Canada.
Hell, isn't Tommy Chong Canadian? Now there's a dude who really got screwed. Selling brand-new bongs & receiving 6 years imprisonment? How many petitions...cannabis magazines...media attention, etc, etc did he have? Especially since the 'bongs' weren't even used. No residue, resin or anything even on the new bongs. Could've been used to smoke anything & he gets a 6 year sentence? There's more injustice there than in Emery's case.

palmspringsbum · 01-19-2008, 01:10 PM

Emery ALWAYS cops a plea. Been doing it for years and years.

420smokeman · 01-20-2008, 11:38 AM

LATEST NEWS: A press conference will take place at the BC Supreme Court at 800 Smithe Street, downtown Vancouver, at 10:00am on Tuesday, January 22nd. The hearing has been adjourned in order to continue negotiations for a possible plea deal agreement between the United States, Canada, and Marc Emery. Please call Marc or Jodie Emery for more information if you're with the media: (604) 689-0590. Opposition to extradition is still needed! Please phone (613) 957-4222 to tell the Canadian Minister of Justice it would be "cruel and unjust", and an insult to Canada's sovereignty, to extradite Canadians Marc Emery, Michelle Rainey and Greg Williams to the United States to face life in US prison.

420smokeman · 01-20-2008, 10:28 PM

a CBC new special aired today

420smokeman · 01-20-2008, 10:54 PM

Michelle Rainey speaks about the extradtion

dickylong · 01-22-2008, 10:51 AM

Any enlighted peeps in the hammer ? hamilton ontario

01-15-2008, 11:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
420smokeman CannabisConnoisseur Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 1,350 Thanks: 31 Thanked 24 Times in 16 Posts	Marc Emery Accepts Plea: 10-Year US and Canadian Prison Sentence Marc Emery Accepts Plea: 10-Year US and Canadian Prison Sentence VANCOUVER - Marc Emery, Vancouver's self-styled Prince of Pot, has tentatively agreed to a five-year prison term in a plea bargain over U.S. money laundering and marijuana seed-selling charges. Facing an extradition hearing Jan. 21 and the all-but-certain prospect of delivery to American authorities, Emery has cut a deal with U.S. prosecutors to serve his sentence in Canada. He also hopes it will save his two co-accused - Michelle Rainey and Greg Williams, who were his lieutenants for so much of the past decade. The American Government dictates Canadian policy The three were arrested in August 2005 at the request of the United States and charged even though none had ventured south of the border. Since then, they have been awaiting the extradition hearing. With the proceedings about to begin, Emery says his lawyer brokered the best deal possible. If accepted by the courts in both countries, Emery said he will serve the full term and not be eligible for Canada's lenient get-out-of-jail-early rules. "I'm going to do more time than many violent, repeat offenders," he complained. "There isn't a single victim in my case, no one who can stand up and say, 'I was hurt by Marc Emery.' No one." He's right. Whatever else you may think of Emery - and he grates on many people, what is happening here is a travesty of justice. Emery's case mocks our independence as a country. Prosecutors in Canada have not enforced the law against selling pot seeds and all you need do is walk along Hastings Street between Homer and Cambie for proof. There are numerous stores selling seeds and products for producing cannabis. Around the corner, you'll find more seed stores. You'll find the same shops in Toronto and in other major Canadian cities. The last time Emery was convicted in Canada of selling pot seeds, back in 1998, he was given a $2,000 fine. Emery has flouted the law for more than a decade and every year he sends his seed catalogue to politicians of every stripe. He has run in federal, provincial and civic elections promoting his pro-cannabis platform. He has championed legal marijuana at parliamentary hearings, on national television, at celebrity conferences, in his own magazine, Cannabis Culture, and on his own Internet channel, Pot TV. Health Canada even recommended medical marijuana patients buy their seeds from Emery. From 1998 until his arrest, Emery even paid provincial and federal taxes as a "marijuana seed vendor" totalling nearly $600,000. He is being hounded because of his success. The political landscape has changed dramatically as a result of Emery's politicking for cannabis. Emery challenged a law he disagrees with using exactly the non-violent, democratic processes we urge our children to embrace and of which we are so proud. But along the way he has angered the anti-drug law-enforcement community - the same gang that insists we must continue an expensive War on Drugs that has failed miserably for more than a quarter century and does more harm than good. Canadian police grew so frustrated that neither prosecutors nor the courts would lock up Emery and throw away the key, they urged their U.S. counterparts to do the dirty work. And that's what's wrong. Emery is being handed over to a foreign government for an activity we are loath to prosecute because we don't think it's a major problem. His two associates were charged only as a way of blackmailing him into copping a plea. It's a scandal. Emery is being made a scapegoat for an anti-cannabis criminal law that is a monumental failure. In spite of all our pricey efforts during the last 40 years, and all the demonization of marijuana, there is more pot on our streets, more people smoking dope and more damage being done to our communities as a result of the prohibition. There is a better way and every study from the 1970s Le Dain Commission onward has urged change and legalization. Regardless of what you think of Emery, he should not be facing an unconscionably long jail term for a victimless, non-violent crime that generates a shrug in his own country. Emery is facing more jail time than corporate criminals who defrauded widows and orphans and longer incarceration than violent offenders who have left their victims dead or in wheelchairs. And while he has long seemed to court martyrdom, Emery is by no means sanguine about what is happening. He is angry at local lawyers for failing to come up with a viable defence. "They had two years and $90,000 and they came up with nothing," he fumed. "John Conroy called me up and said 'take the deal - Michelle will die in jail. Michelle will die in jail!' What can I say to that?" Rainey, who has a medical exemption to smoke marijuana, has Crohn's disease. Incarceration in the U.S. would deprive her of her medicine, and she fears it could lead to her death. "It's an ugly situation but Marc expects miracles," Kirk Tousaw, one of the lawyers involved, told me. "There aren't any here." He's right. Our extradition law puts Canadian citizens at the mercy of foreign governments and judges can't do much about it. Emery is being forced to accept a deal because not only are two of his friends in jeopardy if he doesn't, but also to go south for an unfair trial would mean serving as much as 20 years in prison, perhaps more. One of his friends, for example, was handed a 30-year sentence for growing 200 plants. This is wrong. If Emery has been breaking the law and must be jailed, our justice department should charge him and prosecute him in Canada. It's time for Justice Minister Rob Nicholson to step in and say, sorry, Uncle Sam, not today - not ever. __________________ Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one conciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream in which we are the imagination of ourself... And now a word from the gun lobby.

01-17-2008, 10:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
420smokeman CannabisConnoisseur Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 1,350 Thanks: 31 Thanked 24 Times in 16 Posts	__________________ Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one conciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream in which we are the imagination of ourself... And now a word from the gun lobby.

01-18-2008, 01:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
zoltron probably impaired Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: left right here Posts: 5,732 Thanks: 60 Thanked 59 Times in 44 Posts	There's 1 thing I DO agree with...No person(s) should be imprisoned for the possession or use of cannabis. It's an outrage that this insane War on Drugs is STILL in effect & I believe Ron Paul would be the most logical choice for US President. However, Emery has got to be the most annoying, egotistical, self-centered individual 'Pot Activist' I've ever heard/seen. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he started dropping dimes like a scaghead at a candy machine...just to save his own ass 1st & then the 'BC 3'. Anyone that ever did business with Emery Seeds [who I've spoken with] found his products unsatisfactory, wrong order, crushed & broken beans, & expensive as hell. I'd bet you he's got $$$ stashed in either a Swiss bank account or just buried in the Canadian wilderness. If I was Canadian, I'd be embarrassed to have him representing the Weed Movement. I've spoken with the guy & believe me, he's out for #1...& that's not #2. __________________ tits on ice Politicians against Legalization support organized crime AARP Toker <> RIP Matt <>

01-18-2008, 02:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
v3d4 sky mind daughter Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lartajuna Posts: 5,617 Thanks: 31 Thanked 154 Times in 84 Posts	all seed i got from him was bunk, every single one turned to herm but i dont think hes selling out to save his ass... didnt part of this deal have something to do with michelle and greg not getting jail time? as much as im not really a fan of his, i dont think he's the bad guy in this situation __________________ remember our Governor Ken Gorman

01-18-2008, 03:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
420smokeman CannabisConnoisseur Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 1,350 Thanks: 31 Thanked 24 Times in 16 Posts	CANAdian news coverage __________________ Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one conciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream in which we are the imagination of ourself... And now a word from the gun lobby.

01-16-2008, 10:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pepper_I YaHookan Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 128 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just like Tommy Chong experienced, the system needs a scapegoat. The government threatens your entire family in order to extort a conviction. I believe Marc is also doing a noble thing by making the best deal possible.

01-17-2008, 01:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Roach ~ Ultima Hombre ~ Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: @.com Posts: 4,621 Thanks: 32 Thanked 50 Times in 41 Posts	Marc's ass has been chewed by so many in the past two decades ,I'm surprised he has any left. History will always remember Marc Emery and the many personal risks he's taken to promote legal marijuana over many years. So will I.

01-18-2008, 02:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Roach ~ Ultima Hombre ~ Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: @.com Posts: 4,621 Thanks: 32 Thanked 50 Times in 41 Posts	I always had a good business relationship with Marc. Never had a problem.

01-19-2008, 01:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
palmspringsbum YaHookan Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Cruz, California (homeless) Posts: 79 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Emery ALWAYS cops a plea. Been doing it for years and years. __________________ www.palmspringsbum.com forums.palmspringsbu m.com

01-20-2008, 11:38 AM	#14 (permalink)
420smokeman CannabisConnoisseur Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 1,350 Thanks: 31 Thanked 24 Times in 16 Posts	LATEST NEWS: A press conference will take place at the BC Supreme Court at 800 Smithe Street, downtown Vancouver, at 10:00am on Tuesday, January 22nd. The hearing has been adjourned in order to continue negotiations for a possible plea deal agreement between the United States, Canada, and Marc Emery. Please call Marc or Jodie Emery for more information if you're with the media: (604) 689-0590. Opposition to extradition is still needed! Please phone (613) 957-4222 to tell the Canadian Minister of Justice it would be "cruel and unjust", and an insult to Canada's sovereignty, to extradite Canadians Marc Emery, Michelle Rainey and Greg Williams to the United States to face life in US prison. __________________ Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one conciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream in which we are the imagination of ourself... And now a word from the gun lobby.

01-20-2008, 10:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
420smokeman CannabisConnoisseur Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 1,350 Thanks: 31 Thanked 24 Times in 16 Posts	a CBC new special aired today __________________ Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one conciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream in which we are the imagination of ourself... And now a word from the gun lobby.

01-20-2008, 10:54 PM	#16 (permalink)
420smokeman CannabisConnoisseur Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 1,350 Thanks: 31 Thanked 24 Times in 16 Posts	Michelle Rainey speaks about the extradtion __________________ Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one conciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream in which we are the imagination of ourself... And now a word from the gun lobby.

01-22-2008, 10:51 AM	#17 (permalink)
dickylong YaHookan Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	new !!! Any enlighted peeps in the hammer ? hamilton ontario