SUPPORTERS OF MARIJUANA ACTIVIST MARC EMERY HOLD VIGIL AT SASKATOON COURT

Supporters of Vancouver-based marijuana activist Marc Emery began a
vigil at Saskatoon provincial court yesterday, denouncing his
three-month jail sentence as a "debacle of justice."

"We'll be here every day until Marc Emery is released," said protest
co-ordinator Dana Larsen, editor of Emery's Cannabis Culture magazine.

Emery, a marijuana seed dealer and founder of the B.C. Marijuana
Party, was sentenced in provincial court last week after pleading
guilty to one count of trafficking.

"I don't think this will succeed in getting Marc out early, but I
think it will draw attention," Mr. Larsen said.

Emery produced four marijuana cigarettes containing a total of 2.3
grams when searched by police. Judge Albert Lavoie took Emery's 10
prior drug-related convictions into account, but Mr. Larsen said three
months is still an unreasonably stiff sentence for passing one joint.