'PRINCE OF POT' WANTED IN U.S. WINS BAIL

Faces Extradition

VANCOUVER - The B.C. Marijuana party leader being sought for extradition to
the United States on drug charges was granted bail yesterday in B.C.
Supreme Court.

But due to difficulties securing the necessary sureties, it remains unclear
when Marc Emery might be freed.

The 47-year-old activist was arrested in Halifax on Friday for allegedly
selling marijuana seeds for use in U.S. grow ops. He also faces a charge of
money-laundering.

Dubbed the Prince of Pot by U.S. authorities, he was transferred to
Vancouver and appeared in court along with co-accused Gregory Keith Williams.

B.C. Supreme Court associate Chief Justice Patrick Dohm ordered Mr. Emery
released on $10,000 in cash and four sureties of $10,000 -- at least three
of them from B.C. property owners.

Late Tuesday, Kirk Tousaw, campaign manager for the party, said the judge
had approved one surety from a relative of Mr. Emery in Ontario, but they
were having trouble finding three B.C. landowners.

"It's not easy, especially when you've got the [U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration] pulling the strings on the investigation. People tend to
get a bit nervous."

He said he expected Mr. Williams, 50, a resident of North Vancouver, to be
released on five sureties worth $5,000 each.

Under the conditions of his release, Mr. Emery must cease operations of his
marijuana seed-selling business, which is partly operated through the Internet.

Outside court, his lawyer, John Conroy, noted Mr. Emery had been in
business for nine years, and Canadian authorities had done nothing to stop
him. "Here we have a situation where they turn a blind eye locally and now
they turn around and assist the U.S."

He added that Health Canada has been counselling people seeking marijuana
for medicinal purposes to check out the Internet, where Mr. Emery's site
has been offering the seeds for sale.

If convicted, Emery faces up to 21 years in a U.S. prison. He and Williams
are to appear next in court Aug. 25 to fix a date for extradition.