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Prince of pot or dope of Vansterdam?

SARAH HAMPSON

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:59 AM EDT 22/10/07

As he prepares for an extradition hearing, Marc Emery pleads: 'Just let them have the drugs' ...Read the full article

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  1. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: De-criminalizing marijuana is a good idea...but with a clown like Emery as a spokesman, there won't be much support.
  2. Mister J from Canada writes: We're wishing you all the best, Marc. Good for you - standing up for for our rights. I'm nearly positive that you will be prosecuted and persecuted. Be brave!

    Love from London!
  3. M K from Vancouver, Canada writes: 'Mr. Emery, who is a hero in Vancouver' - Sadly, this is the impression, but it's not true. Perhaps it is the citizens of Vancouver who know best what pot can do to a healthy person. The blurry image of self improvement disappears quickly, leaving lower IQs and emotionally dysfunctional adults. The end result is a LOWER quality of life, obvious to those who don't smoke, but not to those who live in the cloud. In the end, NO ONE ESCAPES.
  4. Sam Salmon from Vancouver-by-the-Sea, Canada writes: What a nauseating character!
  5. CD W from coldwater, Canada writes: Drugs are bad because if you do drugs you are a hippie, and hippies suck-Eric Cartman
  6. Ryan Schultz from Winnipeg, Canada writes: I always thought that Marc was a cool and rather harmless guy; I remember seeing him at the used booktore he used to run in London while I was a student at UWO. I'm in the (probable) minority of people who've never smoked tobacco or pot (I have asthma and my lungs are ALREADY f-ed up thankyouverymuch), but as I grow older I have moved from a very conservative viewpoint to a very liberal one on pot use.

    But when Marc said (and I quote from the article): 'People have a right to cocaine ... Same with heroin and crystal meth. Look, we have legal amphetamines. We give our kids Ritalin. That's similar to crystal meth.'

    That's the point at which I lost any remaining respect for him. Maybe we need to plunk Marc down in front of a season's worth of shows from A&E's Intervention to get him to realize the depths that people can sink to in their addictions.
  7. David Gibson from Hamilton, Canada writes: The tragedy is that he really may end up in an American prison, and it will take very little time for his mindset to change drastically from what it is now. If he had any sense, he would be on another continent.
  8. Anti Fascist from Canada writes:
    What a poorly done interview. Is this an intentional hatchet job?
    Or both?

    His heart speeds up? On pot? I believe you are putting words in his mouth.
  9. Tyler Williams from seattle, United States writes: interesting

    one of the posts from canada writes: 'Marc, good for you - standing up for for our rights'.

    huh?

    that doesn't make sense.

    to understand why, set aside your views on marijuana - let's assume for the sake of argument that everybody in canada is totally liberal in that regard.

    how is it a protection of a country's citizens 'rights' to insist that its citizens be allowed to sell a product to a foreign country when the product is illegal in that foreign country?

    by that argument, syrians or saudis should be allowed to sell books in canada that teach photographically how to beat one's wife into submission if she misbehaves (even if such books are banned in canada). americans should be able to sell handguns freely in canada (even if handguns are banned in canada). a scandinavian country should be able to sell hardcore photos of adolescents in canada (even if hardcore photos are banned in canada of people under the age of 18).

    sorry, not quite sure why it is the 'right' of a canadian to sell products in foreign countries where the product is banned.

    sounds like a pretty arrogant mindset to think that is somehow the 'right' of canadians to make money that way.

    what would be a right would be for activist canadians to encourage and support their american counterparts who are trying to get laws liberalized in the USA.
  10. Gudrun Dekker from Vernon, Canada writes: This guy is a self imortant nut bar. Instead of remaining a harmless pothead he runs off at the mouth about hard drug freedom and renders himself ridiculous .
  11. Elisa Brun from Canada writes: What a cheap interview. Marc Emery may be mentally diminished, but what purpose does it serve to make a fool of him publicly this way.
    I don't believe he deserves to be put in a U.S. jail for the rest of his lilfe.
  12. Fool Monty from Vancouver, Canada writes: I think Marc's finally lost the plot; TMI Marc! TMI big time!

    Marc, I don't know if you're truly prepared for life in an American prison. Before selling into the US, you really should have invested in an American legal opinion on the ramifications. Sorry dude, you're going south and there's no amount of rhetoric that can stop it.
  13. Eric Kirkpatrick from Vancouver, B.C., Canada writes: Sadly this argument usually has the extremists from both sides of the debate getting all the headlines. Just hope none of the naysayers or their families get cancer or Aids etc. to learn of the benefits of pot when combating the side effects of chemo. As for it effecting your I.Q. I recently had my I.Q. tested as a result of a neurological exam and it was higher than my pre-pot days in high school. The U.S could concentrate on the purchaser, the U.S. Postal service that delivers the seeds and the Internet Service that provides access to Marc's service. They are giving the man just what he craves, attention.
  14. David C from the world that is, Canada writes: Irrelevant of what we may think pro or against MJ here in Canada, Emery made the error in assuming that he would be protected in our country while doing something considered illegal in a foreign country. He may well pay for that mistake in a US prison. But the reality is that he has nobody to blame but himself because he decided to contravene laws in the USA.
  15. offshore Xplorer.com from San Jose, Costa Rica writes: As a proud Canadian I can only say it is a sad to realize how spineless our elected canadian government is. Put aside your opinion on Pot and the like as I do not believe it is the issue. The issue is, our Sovereignty. Either we are Sovereign or we are Puppets to the Americans.

    Tyler Williams from seattle makes a point about selling a product to a buyer who resides in a country where the product is illegal. IMHO should not the buyer be the one to be prosecuted for violating the laws of the country he or she resides in?

    Since when did the free people of the world outside the United States agree to be governed by the United States' laws?

    If there is a crime here, as Marc Emery is a Canadian Citizen, let him be charged and tried in Canada by his peers.

    I think we all know, had this been a case of an American selling something to a Canadian which was illegal in Canada, and we had sought extradition from the USA we would be flatly denied.

    I guess that sums up our Sovereignty right there!
  16. Cameron Reid from Canada writes: M K from Vancouver- you're the other end of the extreme from Emery- the hysterical 'one-puff-will-destroy-your-life' crowd.

    Bottom line is you need to treat any intoxicant with care and induldge appropriately. Smoking a joint after dinner is really no different than having a few glasses of wine- a totally acceptable way of unwinding after a hard day. Similarly, smoking a joint before going to work is pretty much the same as knocking back a couple glasses of wine before going to work- a questionable idea in anyone's book.

    Just use some freakin' common sense!
  17. K S from Recipro City, Canada writes: jeff franklin: thanks for confirming that the G&M has become a haven for immature frat boys with internet time on their hands. Your post was disgusting. Doesn't say much for you, does it?

    As for Mr. Emery, anyone who trivializes addiction this much doesn't deserve a lot of respect. Too bad he just won't see the results of his attitude until he is in prison and hopefully off whatever hard-core drug he is on now. Pot may make you sound stupid but not this stupid. There has got to be something else going on here.
  18. No No No Yes No from Canada writes: Cameron - I wouldn't bother with M K...He obviously believes that pot has its roots in hell, and all the other garbage spewed in Reefer Madness.
  19. Peter Stern from Mississauga, Canada writes: Switzerland's approach to drug addiciton (as a medical problem) greatly reduced the amount of thefts, violence and prostitution. It also resulted in drug additics in being able to have normal lives and hold down regular jobs instead of resorting to stuff like drug dealing, prostitution and being criminalized. It results in a meaningful improvement for society as a whole... well for everyone except for those who make money off of having more (pointless) money spent on 'law enforcement'. Drug dealer don't like it either because these addicts can get their drugs proscribed and administered to them by a doctor.... which greatly reduces the need to go to a drug dealer - You can't have a drug war when there is no money to be made selling drugs.
  20. asm oak bay from Canada writes: The sooner Canada is rid of this pantload the better. Now, if we in Canada might aggressively go after drug traffickers rather than count on the USA to deal with people of this ilk, so much the better.
  21. B to the A to the R to the T from a better world is possible., Canada writes: I found this article another piece of one sided 'journalistic' drivel meant to caricaturize more than inform. Nothing like going out, getting a few quotes and sound bites and then chalking up another article.

    I guess talking to regular users, compassion club workers, and maybe even the growers would entail the need to do research, develop relationships, etc. Sub par reporting indeed.
  22. jeff franklin from Canada writes: KS from Recipro City:

    KS, you sound like a puritan. Someone who is deathly afraid that someone, somewhere is having fun.

    I take issue with how CD w from coldwater insults 'hippies'. Or are you in agreement that 'hippies suck' as well?

    Rather than listening to what Stephen Harper and his cabal of Rapturists say while touting the same old Failed USA War on Drugs propaganda and policies, take the time to Know, not Just Say No.

    Alcohol accounts for more deaths per year than all other drugs combined.

    When will our P.M. declare a 'War on Alcohol'? with Mandatory Minimums(Jail Time) for any Alcohol related offence.

    Have a nice day.

  23. Larry Robinson from white Rock, Canada writes: Yup, I can see waves of people stoned out of their gourds marching on Ottawa .... just close all the fast food joints on the parade route.

    Seriously ... give me the odds of Canada unilaterally legalizing dope with that big neighbour next door.

    What do you think this is about?
  24. Elisa Brun from Canada writes: >

    Since when should we assume that the laws of another country apply in our own?
  25. Paul Jones from kitchener, Canada writes: this guy IS an adolescent in an adult body. i still support his case despite that. you dont have to like the messenger to appreciate the message.
  26. jeff franklin from Canada writes: asm oak bay from Canada;

    Agreed.

    Let's go after Smirnoff, Crown Royal, Labatt's and Molson's. Glaxxo, Merck Frost and Pfeizer.

    These 'drug traffickers' and the products they sell are responsible for the great majority of injury and death suffered by Canadians each year.
  27. Christopher Kiely from Canada writes: Gudrun Dekker from Vernon, Canada writes: This guy is a self imortant nut bar. Instead of remaining a harmless pothead he runs off at the mouth about hard drug freedom and renders himself ridiculous .

    Yep, prohibiting them has worked so well. Nothing ridiculous in that pursuit at all.
  28. scamp the from Canada writes:
    The war on drugs is just about jobs.
    Treat people = give jobs to nurses, social workers...
    Imprison people = give jobs to police officers

    Sure, there's some people on both sides that really care about the drug addict but the overarching political will is just for jobs.
  29. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: Keep repeating to yourselves: 'It is NOT hypocritical to be OK on alcohol being legal, but marijuana being illegal.'
  30. Tyler Williams from seattle, United States writes: um

    jeff franklin

    you get an 'F' as your grade in medical epidemiology.

    most canadians will die because of a blood vessel failure (heart attack, stroke) or from a cancer (mostly lung and colon and breast).

    and the vast majority of those deaths have nothing to do with the companies you list (Smirnoff, Crown Royal, Labatt's and Molson's. Glaxxo, Merck Frost and Pfeizer). indeed, some of those companies sell drugs that help treat some of the cancers and blood vessel diseases once they start!

    you post might have made more sense if you had named philip moris tobacco or imperial tobacco or rj reynolds tobaco.
  31. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: Once again I throw out the challenge to the alcohol-addicts (and everyone else, actually): . . . How many people died in 2006 (or 2005, or whatever) from marijuana ? We do have such figures for alcohol and cigarettes -- both are legal, doncha know -- but, uh, for some reason we just 'can't' get those figures for marijuana. I'm sure this was an oversight, though . . . TODAY we will get those figures for deaths due to marijuana, right ? asm ? Lufty ? anyone else ?
  32. Randy D from Canada writes: Just never grew up. Doesn't bother me a bit if he becomes some big dudes girlfriend in a US jail cell. That won't be a doobie headin' your way...
  33. Pickman's Modem from Canada writes: I would like to be able to get upset at the reporter for doing such a brutal hatchet-job on Mr. Emery -- but Emery is such a fool that I can't. The legalization of pot movement badly needs a spokesperson who isn't him. Plenty of working professionals in Canada use weed every now and again, and so far the country has failed to fall apart.

    The HoC needs to wake up on this. Prohibition on pot is not working, nor will it ever work; it is just too easy to grow. Tax it, control it, put in on a high shelf so kids can get it -- but treating it like heroin or meth (which I totally happy to label as 'bad drugs') is a stretch at best.
  34. Erik Richards from Winnipeg, MB, writes: Ugh - Marc Emery was a PITA when he was on the local stage in London. When he moved to his Utopia in B.C. I hoped that would be the end of having to hear about him, but apparently not.

    Pot, like gay (or even hetro) sex or a dozen other things is fine - if you keep it in your little world. I don't care what you want to smoke, just like I don't care who you want to have sex with. I see no need though to drag it out for all to see, as if to tweak the nose of 'the establishment'. To me it's about as mature as farting in public. Sure you can do it. Sure it's your right. But does it make you any more mature for doing it?

    Enjoy your bud at home, prior to sex (geez, like I needed all those details, btw!) and keep it to yourself.

    But as for the U.S. extradition request, I hope Canada tells the Yanks to piss up a rope.
  35. Pickman's Modem from Canada writes: Yar -- my first post should read so kids can't get it. I am for the legalization of pot, but I do firmly believe that it should be treated like alcohol or tobacco : for adults only.
    Well, 18 or 19 year olds anyhow. If you can vote, or decide to join the CF -- you are surely old enough to decide for yourself if smoking a plant is a good idea or not.
  36. Tyler Williams from seattle, United States writes: actually

    an interesting question for mr justice

    marc emory says, quoted right in this article: 'people have a right to cocaine, and same with heroin and crystal meth'.

    so, mr justice, do you want your local neighborhood store there to sell heroin and crystal meth and cocaine to nineteen year olds?

    and if not, do you have your own list of personal preferences, as to which drugs you think that nineteen year olds should be able to buy from your neighborhood store there?
  37. B to the A to the R to the T from a better world is possible., Canada writes: Mr. Justice The answer is 0. There has yet to be a reported death due to Marijuana overdose. In all of medical history. There may have been driving or other activity related deaths due to pot intoxication but the numbers are a tiny fractionwhen compared to alcohol. As far as cancer, with 14% of Canadians being pot smokers you'd think the bodies would pile up; but they are not. Also, there are safe use alternatives to smoking.

    The only negative that I know of is it's effect on developing brains of children and teenages; it may increase the chance of depression or anxiety later in life. The same studies though say that if a person starts using pot as an adult these effects do not manifest as often. I doubt anyone would advocate pot use in young people.
  38. David C from the world that is, Canada writes: was waiting for the pro-pot gang to show up.... Irrelevant of anyone's opinion of the pros or cons of weed, Emery was trafficking an illegal substance in a foreign country. It is not a debate of the merits of weed vs alcohol, but his business actions in the USA. He has stated that he made millions of dollars selling products in the USA. That is international trafficking. We may or may not agree with the laws south of the border, but we have to respect international extradition requests if the go through the proper channels. We request extradition from the USA if someone from there comes to Canada and breaks our laws. It has to work both ways.
  39. B to the A to the R to the T from a better world is possible., Canada writes: Tyler Williams - I think we can say that anything that requires any processing apart from drying or fermenting and is addictive should be controlled. Pot, alcohol, and the like should be legal.
  40. Lyndon Akiwenzie from Toronto, Canada writes: Ms. Hampson clearly set Marc up in such a manner that it would cast his thoughts on pot and the issue of his deportation a negative light. Clearly, Marc's lost some of his marbles, but the issue needs attention.
    More people smoke the herb than cigarettes in this great land of ours and the issue needs to come to some kind of denouement; either continue the highly ineffectual ban on it or decriminalize it.
  41. Cherill Johnston from Brockville, Canada writes: Marc Emery is a fool . I highly doubt that Canada will legalize pot even in the distant future. This is a shame . The hypocracy of alcohol and cigarettes being legally part of this culture when we see what the effects are of over-indulgence, addiction, and/or serious illness and/or death..
    Whatever happened to what-was-it-called, the Dane Commission Report.
  42. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: B: . . . Thanks, but I'm sure that asm and Luft are preparing responses that will dispute your contention. . . . right, boys ?
  43. The Bubble from Toronto, Canada writes: The should have had a male interview this guy, what an irresponsible idiot.
    Even the people who want pot legalized, this guy doesn't help. The problem with the debate on drugs is they're all lumped together. Pot is not addictive physically but obviously it is psychologically.
    Heroin, Coke, and especially Meth should be stamped out completely, kids under 18 should be fined for smoking pot and if they can't pay then they're parents should.
    Anyone trafficking, especially over the border, throw the book at them
    Someone growing a bit in the yard or having a little at a party, leave them alone as long as they are adults.
    We don't need it to be a public thing.
    Of course it's hard to stop the Hell's Angels from doing business. How do those guys get over the boarder so easily?
  44. Kevin Desmoulin from TO, Canada writes: Ya What a poorly done interview indeed, on Marc and the state of drug policy here in Canada.
  45. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: Cherill Johnston from Brockville, Canada writes:Whatever happened to what-was-it-called, the Dane Commission Report.
    -------------------------

    The Le Dain commission, May, 1969, may be a tad outdated, whereas Mr. Every is your bog standard freak.
  46. Philosopher King from Canada writes: offshore Xplorer.com from San Jose, Costa Rica writes: '...should not the buyer be the one to be prosecuted for violating the laws of the country he or she resides in?'

    First let me just say that I agree with you. In the age of the internet it seems quite ridiculous that the US would try to enforce it's laws on the entire rest of the world.

    Legislating morality has always meant depriving innocent people of their freedom at tax payers expense and has created more crime than any other single factor.
  47. John Collier from Durban, South Africa writes: I first met Marc in London many years ago. He's always been annoying and ... uhh ... enthusiastic. I'll say this for him, he has more strength of conviction than most of our politicians, and he knows the pot laws are motivated by lies and falsehoods. I think he might become the first genuine prisoner of conscience over the drug laws. I guess I'd better get ready to write letters. It ain't an arrest for pot that he'll get, but for going against the liars behind the war on (some) drugs. Pot is harmless compared to snowboarding. Let's spend our effort outlawing really dangerous things.
  48. Michael Richardson from MontrealOakville, Canada writes: Nice Bong. Wow!!
  49. Tyler Williams from seattle, United States writes: huh?

    somebody in toronto just wrote: 'they should have had a male interview this guy, what an irresponsible idiot'.

    is that a sexist slam against the journalist?
  50. Robert Tremblay from ottawa, Canada writes: to tyler williams. I was very impressed for the most part with your commentary. I agree right up untill your last two lines. We dont have the right to sell marijuana to the states because it is in fact illegal there, punishable just the same as coke from what i understand. Whatever our rights and freedoms here in Canada, i have no sympathy for someone who illegally sends products over the border. To support marijuana trafficking to the states defies the same rules say as human trafficking to canada. Obviously not nearly as dangerous, or morally incorrect in my eyes, but legally, the same structures of law are being broken. Mr emery should be punishable as the states see fit, and he seems to think this himself. Secondly, i am an advocate for the decriminlaization of pot, not necessarily the legalization. There are many problems linked with marijuana use, cancer, schizophrenic behavior, gateway to other harder drugs, there are many. However there are many advantages, hemp plant and leaf can be a very durable product, proven to help reduce emisions, also smoking pot has many medical benefits as most candians already know. for me what it comes down to is, a number of canadians smoke pot now, are you harrassed that much for your habits. Is there a large demand for its legalization?what is that demand? every year on majors hill park, stoners come together freely and smoke point, lets face it, police themselves smoke pot. so is there a large need for huge marijuana legislation in canada?
  51. Mark Orr from Toronto, Canada writes: Well I do wish him well, he is an oddball, but society needs those. I think he is well intentioned, and should be viewed as a freedom fighter. In the case of supplying seed to Americans, is that just helping Americans to be more free? I thought they were the land of the free? Seems more like the 'Land of the Jailed' lol....Let Freeeedom reignnnnn....
  52. Hornsworth Portswiler from otnorot, Canada writes: Robert Tremblay, yes there is, you are putting people who smoke at the mercy of people who can prosecute them whenever they want, whether it is a cop having a bad day, with a political agenda, etc. People have a right to know where they stand. It is also a very hypocritical policy that wears down people's faith in the fairness of law. As well, if it were legalized, real studies could be done on its harmfulness, and taxes routed appropriately.
  53. allcanadian allamerican from american sector of, Canada writes: I think Marc Emery is really frightened by the DEA and the USA GOV. He is trying to make himself look clownish so that maybe they might not take him seriously. If the Emery trial turns into a circus, which it most probably will, the whole exercise will just be a big waste of time and a fiasco. Marc Emery is a smart guy and he isnt normally so immature sounding but I think he is genuinely scared of power of the US DEA. The DEA could be considered a worldwide terrorist group of their own, not something one wants to mess with.
  54. Susie Q from Canada writes: This article made me giddy, and I didn't even have to smoke pot. But seriously, pot doesn't make everyone this stupid and annoying, only some... and only when smoking from a huge bong 5-10 times per day. Everything in moderation, man.
  55. John L. Murlowe from Colony of Vancouver Island, Canada writes: Tyler Williams from seattle, United States writes: interesting

    how is it a protection of a country's citizens 'rights' to insist that its citizens be allowed to sell a product to a foreign country when the product is illegal in that foreign country?
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    You have a point. The Canadian govenrment should sue US gun manufacturers who make the handguns which are sold to Canadians from the US by US residents and exported to Canada and which are used in criminal activities such as growing marijuana for export to the US in return for US cocaine and handguns..

    The US is one of the world's largest exporters of armaments -- legal and illegal -- and the world's largest exporter of war. Yet it will stand on its right to export both.

    So go eff yourself tyler, you self-righteous dork.
  56. jose quail from Guelph, Canada writes: I love how people tote that Pot is not harmful.....as a frequent user, I can assure you that those late night runs to the convenience store for candy and deep fried are sure to take years off my life.
  57. allcanadian allamerican from american sector of, Canada writes: Tyler Williams from seattle, United States writes: actually

    an interesting question for mr justice

    marc emory says, quoted right in this article: 'people have a right to cocaine, and same with heroin and crystal meth'.

    so, mr justice, do you want your local neighborhood store there to sell heroin and crystal meth and cocaine to nineteen year olds?

    and if not, do you have your own list of personal preferences, as to which drugs you think that nineteen year olds should be able to buy from your neighborhood store there?

    I think what Mr Emery means by that comment is that he thinks everyone should have the freedom of choice to choose their own poison. People hurt and kill themselves doing so called legal activities all the time. Addiction is its own monster and addicts come from all walks of life for just about anything from gambling to alcohol to over eating and more. Its problem of personal self control and not the substance.

    You dont have to buy marijuana at all, it can be free to grow and use, why buy it from a corner store at all? The drug trade is a symptom of greed and capitalism.
  58. EJ Martin from Dundas, Ontario, Canada writes: To Cherill Johnston from Brockville: You are thinking of the le Dain commission, conducted in the 70's, which recommended liberalized drug laws. More recently (2002), a Canadian senate committee chaired by Pierre Claude Nolin recommended legalization of marijuana for adults - the Nolin commission.
  59. N. American from New York, United States writes: Looks like you can add delusions of grandeur to the list of 'side effects' caused by excessive marijuana use.

    This argument is more boring than potheads themselves.

    Smoke your lives away... but for goodness sake stop looking at your hedonistic pursuit of constant and continuous pleasure as some form of profound revolution. Really, you are just stoned, that's all.
  60. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: N. American is correct. That's the weird thing about potheads...they think they're on to some profound revelation. Like Pink Floyd...good music and stupid, neophyte, lyrics. Stoned or straight, life isn't about profound revelations...it's just a bunch of stuff that happens.
  61. Hornsworth Portswiler from otnorot, Canada writes: N. American and Alberto Bayo, who brought up 'profoundness?' Although smoking can be relaxing and a social lubricant, most pot smokers would not say that Emery and his rantings represent them. Are you saying pot smokers don't have the right to petition for lawful enjoyment? That they can be discriminated against whenever the law feels like it, for no good reason? If not, what is the point of your comments?
  62. brandon steele from Vancouver, Canada writes: Please keep in mind that the Globe and Mail decides which portions of the interview they choose to print. They also decide the tone that the article will take and whether or not it is portrayed in a positive or negative light. And yes we may be used to public figures lying to protect
    their image, I personally feel it is refreshing that someone can be so honest with the public. Prohibition has had absolutely no success in almost a hundred years of policy. People will invariably make their own decisions in spite of and regardless of punitive measures designed to prevent them from said activities.
  63. Tyler Williams from seattle, United States writes: wow

    John Murlowe from Vancouver Island writes to me: 'the Canadian government should sue (over) US handguns - so go eff yourself tyler, you self-righteous dork'.

    wow, where did you learn to debate so poorly and ineffectively, mr. murlowe? Who taught you to formulate your arguements so weakly, with personal insults as your hopeless punchline?

    if you go back and re-read my post (!), part of my message was that americans should never sell handguns to countries where they are banned and it is wrong if they do so.

    so it is really unclear why you sound do mad at me. maybe you are somehow confusing me as a person with the country of america? a lot of folks seem to do that on these boards. i am not america. of course you are free to angrily yell at america any time you want - just don't confuse me with the country!
  64. Tyler Williams from seattle, United States writes: no

    allcanadian allamerican from american sector, your comment actually is irrelevant and adds nothing to the dabate - your comment skates off on an irrelevant tangent.

    you say, 'you dont have to buy marijuana at all, it can be free to grow and use'.

    so what?

    you can say the same thing about roses and potatos and corn and lemons and peaches and rosemary.

    and guess where 97 percent of canadians get those items.

    answer: in a store.

    the question at hand is should marc emory, store seller, face charges for exporting in his money-making business product, and, further, what drug policy society should have with regard to the sale of drugs.

    the fact you raise, that a minority of folks choose to grow their own roses and peaches and pot, is irrelevant to the debate.
  65. albert rose from Canada writes: B to the A to the R to the T from a better world is possible, your forgot to mention one big negative of pot and other intoxicants:

    Wasted time.

    Intoxication adds nothing to life. It just makes it pass by more quickly and pointlessly.
  66. Victim Of Compassion from Canada writes: I'm halfway impressed with the comments on this doubtful topic.

    I believe that narcotics should be decriminalized, but also monopolized, as if by the Liquor Control Commission, or whatever. That way the profits of the sale could be used to fund rehabs for the fall-outs. (I hold the same opinion for gambling and gamblers)

    I do not believe it is 'the drugs' that cause 'addiction'. I believe the drugs betray the addicts' sociopathy. All 'restraint' is lost, for them, and woe betide the rest of us.

    I hold the same opinion of the 'jailers'. I believe a person is profoundly perverted who so glibly wants to imprison people, absent objective proof of committing harm to other people (not 'the state').

    Marc Emery is held in high (no pun) regard by many people in BC. Many Canadians hold the Bronfman (Seagram's Liquor) family as saints for their charity, but I believe they made their fortunes defying American prohibition by covertly directly exporting their fine finished product to America.

    I suspect some of the contributers on this board would actually stand a little taller if they at least had the excuse of a Cannibis-impaired memory to account for their ignorance.

    I hope Emery escapes persecution/prosecution, but he does seem to be making a stand as much for martyrdom as legalized narcotics.
  67. Bergeil DeBungie from Victoria, Canada writes: Good luck to you Marc.
  68. N. American from New York, United States writes: 'Are you saying pot smokers don't have the right to petition for lawful enjoyment? That they can be discriminated against whenever the law feels like it, for no good reason?'

    It would appear that pot smokers have been petitioning endlessly for years. The legislature has 'taken the temperature' on this issue, over and over again for years and has always decided that the population of Canada would rather NOT see a change in drug laws as they relate to marijuana; or even see this as being much of an issue to worry about either way.

    Again, delusions of grandeur; why should my government be wasting time on this issue... Why should the government change the law so that people have one more choice on how to 'get themselves off'. Why should I be concerned about the unfettered pleasure of a pot smoker?

    As for my 'profound revolution' comment... The argument is usually raised by pot smokers in the framework of 'discrimination'... As if not allow you to smoke pot is somehow curtailing you some over riding right. As if current pot laws exclude pot smokers from the full access to our society...

    Again, you're just getting stoned; thats all... getting a little light headed, a bit calmer maybe a bit dizzy, maybe a bit less inhibited, nothing more.
  69. r b from calgary, Canada writes: Well, Emery had better be frightened by this action by the Yanks: he may be facing imprisonment for the rest of his life.

    Right or wrong, he chose this path of his own free will. Regardless of whether you believe, as I do, that our southern cousins are in the throes of an unfortunate over-reaction to trivial matters, the fact remains that Emery chose to export his beliefs to the reactionary regime to the south. For $3MM per year no less. And now Big Brother has come-a-callin'.

    The final act in this comedy will be a tearfull Emery playing the 'persecuted Canadian' card as he is handed over to the Yanks. I'm not sure I will be laughing, but I certainly won't be weeping.
  70. The Bubble from Canada writes: Why can't Americans keep their opinions to themselves, isn't that what all the fighting is about?
  71. The Bubble from Toronto, Canada writes: By the way North American from New York
    Some of the provinces call their parliamentary digs legislatures
    The Federal Government of Canada sits in the House of Commons it is not referred to as a legislature, that would be provincial and they don't deal with dope.
    You spins need more training.
  72. S. K. Babey from Cherryville, BC, Canada writes: The Americans are afraid of cannabis because they think peace might break out.
  73. The Bubble from Toronto, Canada writes: The Americans are afraid of their own shadows.
  74. The Bubble from Toronto, Canada writes: Unless, of course, they are carrying a weapon.
  75. Mike from Van from Vancouver, Canada writes: As annoying as Mr. Emery is, his basic thesis that the War on Some Drugs is failed social policy remains correct. The judges, lawyers and police all know this and it is shameful that these people who do have a real opportunity to influence social policy remain mute, leaving a void to be filled by people like Mr. Emery. I for one am tired of hearing about stereotypes about potheads - I know people from all walks of life, including lawyers, airline pilots, teachers etc etc who enjoy an occasional toke and are respectable, contributing members of society who would lose their jobs if they actually tried to exercise their right to 'free speech.' This is where our failure really lies - we have created a wealthy society that insists, for no rational reason, on demonizing, persecuting and prosecuting people who choose to alter their consciousness, recreationally or anaesthetically, with certain drugs. Practically every weekend, the Vancouver Sun runs extensive stories on the drug war - it's like fodder for the tabloids - but the reality is that people will continue to choose to do these things and putting the Hells Angels in charge of the supply chain is a bad idea. Legalise drugs in general and all the violent crime, property crime and other problems that accompany a black market scenario will disappear, and societal resources can be focused on education, treatment and prevention. But then what would the government use to keep the population living in fear? Shame on ALL our federal politicians for their neanderthal, knee-jerk (Conservative) or do-nothing (Liberal) responses to this failed social policy!
  76. Dick Nails from Desoronto, Canada writes: Every junkie, meth head, crack head and so on started with one drug. Guess which one?

    Emery is a fool if he thinks he can screw with the US govt. When he dreamed up his plan to export seeds he must have been stoned; no one would do that if they were straight.

    Have fun Emery, maybe you can get the same prison and cell as Tommy Chong.
  77. The Bubble from Toronto, Canada writes: You can't legalize it all.
    Just the pot and only for recreational use.
    The chemicals are out of control and need to be stopped.
  78. Dick Nails from Desoronto, Canada writes: The Bubble from Canada writes: Why can't Americans keep their opinions to themselves, isn't that what all the fighting is about?

    Are you stoned bubbles? Did you pay attention in school? Look up 'history, world' and see what is there if you are too boned out already.
  79. b mac from Canada writes: You would think this man would have better things to do other then continue his race to the bottom..
  80. Paul Jones from kitchener, Canada writes: 'Dick Nails from Desoronto, Canada writes: Every junkie, meth head, crack head and so on started with one drug. Guess which one?'

    cigarettes. every single alcoholic, drug abuser, and pothead that i know or have heard of started out by smoking cigarettes. time to ban them, eh Dick?
  81. N. American from New York, United States writes: Mike and Dicks comments above make for great context. All you really have to do is ask yourself, is drug use really a good thing? - Really, should the government by way of decriminalizing the use of a certain drug advocate that drug use IS a good thing? - If marijuana use is good; then why isn't heroin or extacsy use also a good thing?

    Rather than persecution, perhaps our government [generally following the will of the citizens] has decided that advocating the use of marijauna is NOT the route to take in order to prevent wider use.

    Now, of course, if your argument is that marijuana should be used more widely; and that MORE people should be stoned MORE often; then there's no point in you and I arguing. I for one [after years and years of heavy and varied drug use], would rather live and interact in a world where more people were 'themselves', and didn't feel the deed to be under the influence of something to make themselves feel, simply... better.
  82. Hornsworth Portswiler from otnorot, Canada writes: N. American from New York, so pro legalization people should stop petitioning because you're sick of it. How do you feel about same sex marriages and women voting, by the way?

    As for your 'profound revolution,' it does curtail the right to a more reasonable, fair justice system. The current authorities don't generally press charges in minor cases, but there are still many cases where individuals are discriminated against unfairly, and again it should either be legal or illegal so people know where they stand. Leaving it a criminal offense makes criminals out of people who are not really doing anything wrong, and it makes many people question authority; many become politically active, leading to all those inconvenient petitioners. Yay.

    As for yours and others commenting on the pointlessness of getting stoned, I'd like to hear your fascinating list of what the worthwhile activities are, and the appropriate proportions of each.

    Dick Nails - I have known a large number of pot smokers, and not a single person who has tried heroin, and very few who have tried cocaine more than once. I have known people with harmful addictive tendencies (alcohol) settle on pot as a safer alternative. Granted, those individuals may have a problem (as with any dysfunctional dependency) but calling pot a gateway drug is a gross excuse, and alcohol is as much gateway to harder drugs for abusive persons.
  83. D. Hall from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Canada will be poorer without Emory. I hope we can prevent him from wasting inside an American prison.

    And legalize MJ. Prohibition is stupid, counterproductive and leads to more deaths in gang fights than legal marijuana ever would.

    It should join booze and cigarettes in government monopoly stores with no incentive to sell to minors.
  84. Matthew Rockall from Mission, Canada writes: As a couple of posters have pointed out, the real question here is whether Marc should be extradited for his crime of selling a product to a country where it is banned. This arguably victim-less crime does not warrant that, any more than if a good 'ole boy from Arizona sent me a gun by mail up here. I would expect a fine, perhaps, and likely confiscation of my new illegal gun. Would I expect Bubba from Arizona to be extradited to Canada and imprisoned up here? No. Clearly not.

    However, even if he was, would he be imprisoned for a decade? 20 years? Do the barbaric judicial policies of the regime to the south mean we should deny the extradition on humanitarian grounds? If you don't think so I ask you, if it isn't cruel and unusual punishment to imprison someone for 20 years for selling pot seeds to people who voluntary buyers then what is?

    Are our pharmacists next?

    Marc should stay here and face whatever Canadian charges apply to being an idiot.
  85. Paul Jones from kitchener, Canada writes: N. American - how do you feel about the pharmacuetical companies, and the support they get from our govts? how do you feel about companies that flash a new drug on the tv screen and tell you to go ask your doctor about it? just wondering. i guess you also believe that our govt is promoting the use cigarettes and alcohol, as they are legal, and want as many people as possible to use those substances?

    who are any of you, really, to tell me what i can and cannot put in my body?
  86. Ex Drone from Ottawa, Canada writes: It's amazing how self-righteous and intolerant social conservatives are when it comes to something as innocuous as marijuana use. However, if you were to ever take away one of their socially destructive crutches, like alcohol or tobacco or guns or religion, they would beat their chests and cry out in indignation.
  87. Jason Manchester from Toronto, Canada writes: Yeah if only we could lay charges against someone for being an Idiot...

    Ah Marc, I wish I could have voted for you before you were deported to Syria (or wherever).
  88. The Bubble from Toronto, Canada writes: but it's ok to shove chemicals into little girls to allow them the confidence to have sex without getting std's.
    what a twisted bunch of right wingers.
  89. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: . . . still waiting for those figures on how many people that marijuana kills each year. Got figures on that one ? asm ? Luft ? ANY right-wing moron ?
  90. Paul Jones from kitchener, Canada writes: so the real question is 'should we extradite him'?

    sure, just as soon as the US sends Chavez Luis Posada Carriles.

    now i know what youre all going to say, 'but Posada only murdered dozens of people, Marc was selling POT to AMERICANS!'
    well, be that as it may, fair is fair. we're not REQUIRED to aid the Americans one bit here. i dont think we should. not because of their misguided laws.
  91. The Bubble from Toronto, Canada writes: The Prince of Pot better keep smoking because he's going south and he doesn't want to know what they are going to do to him. Of course in prison he will be able to get a lot of dope too.
    Harper really needs to go. Selling the AMWAY
  92. Somethingessential LostinBC from Canada writes: THe problem I have with this is ME is being charged for drug trafficing in America. He sells seeds. Seeds have no active cannaboids in them so by definition they are no more a drug than a hops plant is beer. They could become a plant, they may not.

    Also, ME, as near as I can figure out, did not sell SEEDS in the USA. They were purchased in Canada via the internet, paid for in Canada, (probably in Canadian money), and the invoice was marked as complete in CANADA. He may or may not have sold seeds to Americans, the fact remains the same, he and his company were in Canada.

    Using this logic, the whole planet is now subject to American law. Americans can go abroad or shop online and buy whatever they want, from wherever they want, whenever they want, and all retailers globally are now required to be versed in American law as selling products to Americans that are legal in your country but illegal in America is they same as actually being in America.

    It was the people who imported the seeds who have commited a crime in America, not Marc Emery. Did Emery break any laws, several, but did he break any in America, NO.
    • Posted 22/10/07 at 3:53 PM EDT |