WHITE HAT FOR 'PRINCE OF POT'

Calgary Airport Volunteers Honour Marijuana Activist

CALGARY -- Canada's "Prince of Pot" has joined the ranks of singer
Dolly Parton, Prince Philip and Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean.

Arriving in Calgary for a two-day visit yesterday, Marc Emery,
Canada's best-known marijuana activist, was white-hatted by the
Calgary airport's official White Hat Volunteers.

"I'm the Prince of Pot," he said. "That's a royalty, a monarchy of
sorts, so I guess it fits."

Yesterday's warm welcome, arranged by Emery's supporters, comes in
stark contrast to his visit to Calgary in 2003, when he was arrested
for marijuana possession.

Emery is in Calgary to show his support for
medical-marijuana crusader Grant Krieger -- charged with trafficking
after mailing seeds to fellow multiple-sclerosis sufferers -- raise
awareness of his own extradition proceedings and raise money for
looming court battles. Emery has been jailed 17 times for
marijuana-related offences.

He now faces a U.S. extradition hearing on Nov. 5 for selling
thousands of marijuana seeds to Americans through his Internet business.

Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier, who often gives out white hats to
distinguished visitors, said: "Just because white hats are available
for sale, it doesn't mean everyone should get one," he said.

Meanwhile, Lorn Sheehan, chairman of the board of directors of Calgary
Tourism, said Calgary should show hospitality to a broad range of people.

"If you white-hat absolutely terrible people, it could devalue it," he
said. "But if this man is walking the streets, he can't be that terrible."