POT 'PRINCE' TO BE EXTRADITED

Marc Emery Faces Drug, Money-Laundering Charges in U.S.

Canada's self-proclaimed Prince of Pot was ordered extradited Monday
to face drug and money-laundering charges in the United States.

Marijuana activist Marc Emery turned himself in to police custody
Monday morning and was informed that Justice Minister Robert Nicholson
has ordered his extradition.

The British Columbia man had been out on bail since the fall, while
facing a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy
to manufacture marijuana in the U.S.

The charges against Emery and two of his associates at his Culture
Cannabis store in Vancouver were filed after they were caught selling
marijuana seeds across the border.

"I think there's a great deal of shock and disappointment," said
Emery's lawyer, Kirk Tousaw. "It's clear to me that this is a deeply
unpopular move by the Conservative government."

Tousaw said Emery, 51, will likely be transferred across the border
sometime this week, but there is a chance that the activist might
serve his sentence in Canada.

Based on a treaty Canada has with the U.S. over the transfer of
prisoners, Tousaw said his client must be convicted in the U.S. and
that country must then support the transfer.

"We have been advised that the U.S. will support the treaty transfer,"
Tousaw said. The decision will then go to Public Safety Minister Vic
Toews, but Tousaw said it's "really impossible" to say when Emery
could return to Canada.

Emery protested the decision outside B.C. Supreme Court
Monday.

"There is nothing to be gained by this government for extraditing me,"
said Emery as he stood with his wife, Jodie, in front of supporters.
Canadians will be "very, very angry" if he is sent to the U.S., Emery
added, because it will mean the minister will have turned a "tin ear"
to the country's sovereignty.