[420 Girl]

Your editorial* regarding Marc Emery contained several mistakes and, frankly, misses the point entirely.

Emery was not arrested, indicted and sought for extradition by the United States because of his marijuana seed business.

Emery used his profits to pay for marijuana policy reform efforts in the U.S. and in Canada. Efforts that have largely been successful in pushing the debate forward and changing attitudes. That is why he was targeted for extradition.

Don't take my word for it. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration crowed about it on the day Emery was arrested, putting out a press release claiming victory over "marijuana legalization groups" that would no longer have Emery's money to assist their efforts.

You are also wrong about the legal implications of the extradition treaty. In this case, Canada has an Extradition Act, which permits the minister to refuse to surrender Canadians for a variety of reasons.

It also requires the minister to refuse surrender if the person is sought for a political prosecution. Emery's supporters are simply calling on the minister to follow the law: hardly an act that subverts the treaty between the countries.

Emery is a calculating businessman, a social entrepreneur who put every dime of his profits into his cause, kept nothing for himself and now will pay the price for his political advocacy. It has little to do with seeds and everything to do with fear.

*Re: 'Prince of Pot's' punishment was no surprise' (Daily News,Sept. 29)


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