PROTESTERS FEAR CANADA CAUGHT IN DRUG WAR

Canada is being forced to fight the U.S. war on drugs on its own soil, says
the B.C. Civil Liberties Association.

Vancouver police were directly involved in the U.S.-led investigation that
saw pot activist Marc Emery arrested last week as part of the two
countries' mutual legal assistance treaty.

Murray Mollard, BCCLA executive director, says the treaty binds the hands
of Canadian law enforcement and the courts.

"Clearly there's a real appetite here for treating drug issues differently
than the Americans," Mollard told 24 hours yesterday. "And yet we find
ourselves being bound by having to facilitate a war on drugs that the
majority of Canadians don't want to pursue."

Almost seven out of 10 Canadians support marijuana decriminalization,
according to a recent poll by Canada SES Research. And in a city whose
councillors back progressive drug policies, Emery's arrest has prompted
local politicians to question the role of the police.

"I can think of a lot more serious problems in this city that need
attention from the police," NPA Coun. Sam Sullivan told 24 hours.

And Emery's lawyer, John Conroy, questioned why his client had never been
charged locally before.

"For nine years (Emery has) been doing this quite openly and they've done
nothing about it," Conroy told reporters outside his client's bail hearing
yesterday.

Emery was granted $50,000 bail, although the Crown had asked he remain in
custody, arguing the 47-year-old was likely to re-offend. Emery will be
allowed to return to work at his Hastings Street bookstore and resume
political activities as leader of the B.C. Marijuana Party. Emery's next
court appearance is in late August.