MARC EMERY: POSTER CHILD FOR U.S. WAR ON DRUGS

The case of Marc Emery is many things for different people. It is a
sobering reminder of how one's own arrogance can backfire. It is a
chilling example of how the sovereignty of our institutions has
eroded in the face of American pressure. But most clearly, for this
writer, it is a demonstration of the extent to which Canada's drug
laws have backslid into hypocrisy and absurdity.

For those that don't know, Marc Emery is the leader of the B.C.
Marijuana Party, the founder of Cannabis Culture magazine, and a
long-time marijuana activist. He, along with colleagues Michelle
Rainey and Greg Williams, are fighting extradition to the United
States, where they face charges of selling marijuana seeds over the
Internet, and a potential life-long prison sentence.

Let me make one thing clear: I think Marc Emery is a megalomaniac who
did everything he could to "martyr" himself for the cause of
marijuana legalization. But regardless of one's opinion of Emery
himself, or one's position on the issue of marijuana prohibition,
this case should concern even the most conservative observer.

For starters, the hypocrisy inherent in the charges against Emery is
astonishing. The government had known of his activities for years
without charging him. He listed his profession as "marijuana seed
grower" on his income tax return. Prior to this, the precedent for
selling marijuana seeds has been a $200 fine. This case is nothing
more than the international face of the American war on drugs.

A central tenet of our legal system is that in order for an act to be
considered criminal, one must clearly show a victim. In this
fundamental sense, the case against Marc Emery is a miscarriage of
justice. There is no one who can stand up and say that they were
harmed as a direct result of Emery's actions.

Even ignoring the moral implications of the case against Emery,
studies have shown that strong-arm drug enforcement tactics like this
do not work. A December 2006 report published by the HIV/AIDS Policy
and Law Review, "Canada's 2003 Renewed Drug Strategy---An Evidence
Based Review," concluded that Canada's federal drug policy, which
focuses overwhelmingly on anti-drug enforcement and supply reduction
initiatives, has failed to reduce both the availability and demand
for illegal drugs. It has also failed to curb many of the most
harmful effects of drug use, and has even exacerbated many
drug-related harms such as disease and urban violence.

In spite of this, the Conservative government appears determined to
carry on down the same old road. On Nov. 20, 2007, they introduced
Bill C-26, which would amend several sections of the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act. This new bill, if passed, would impose harsh
minimum sentences for drug offences. For example, if someone were
caught growing just one marijuana plant, even for personal use, the
minimum sentence would be six months in prison.

Although I believe that many of Canada's drug laws create far more
harm than they prevent, I am in no way advocating for a laissez-faire
approach to drugs in general. Drugs have destroyed the lives of many
people, and the illegal drug trade is a scourge in many communities.
However, it has become clear that treating narcotics primarily as a
criminal matter, rather than the health and social issue that it is,
is at best ineffective and at worst destructive.

It's time to change the way we deal with drugs in this country.
Oppose the extradition of Marc Emery, Michelle Rainey, and Greg
Williams. Oppose Bill C-26. Stop the war on drugs.