POT ACTIVIST UNJUSTLY ARRESTED

No Charges Were Filed In Canada

On July 29, the RCMP arrested Marc Emery, Leader of the British Columbia
Marijuana Party, along with fellow activists Michelle Rainey-Fenkarek and
Gregory Williams.

These arrests were the result of a U.S. Federal Grand Jury indictment on
charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, Conspiracy to Distribute
Marijuana Seeds and Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering.

Since Emery is alleged to have sold many of his seeds to U.S. customers,
the investigation in Canada was actually led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration under the terms of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

The most disturbing fact is that the U.S. Attorney's Office has filed an
extradition request with the Canadian government that all three Canadians
be brought to Seattle to stand trial.

If convicted in the U.S. on either of the marijuana charges, they could
face cruel prison sentences ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life in
prison.

Therefore the Libertarian Party of Canada calls upon Canada's Minister of
Justice, Irwin Cotler, to block the extradition of Marc Emery and his
associates, and to set them free. We also urge Parliament to narrow the
types of crimes that are covered by extradition treaties in order to
protect Canadians from legal domination by foreign governments.

Although the sale of cannabis seeds is also illegal in Canada, Emery has
not been charged by Canadian authorities, who are well aware that Canada
has a medical-marijuana program.

U.S. officials have falsely characterized Emery as motivated by greed, but
the truth is that, in addition to serving those who are in desperate need
of medical marijuana, the proceeds of his seed business have been directed
towards political activism and compassionate aid for drug addicts.

It seems clear that Emery was targeted because of his prominence as a
political activist and this is another reason why the Minister of Justice
should choose to rule against extradition.

Libertarians believe in the principles of self-ownership and individual
liberty. We believe that governments act aggressively when they violate
these principles by interfering with an individual's freedom to buy, sell
or use drugs such as marijuana for medicinal or other purposes.

We believe that each individual should be free to live as they choose, as
long as they do not aggress against the life and property of others.
Non-coercive means should be used to discourage the abuse of dangerous
drugs instead of the destructive application of the criminal justice system.

That is why we call on Parliament and the people of Canada to not only
decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana but to also work
towards the abolition of the disastrous policy of drug prohibition, which
results in increased criminal activity and the unjust imprisonment of
peaceful citizens.

The Libertarian Party of Canada