MARIJUANA ACTIVIST SENTENCED TO JAIL

SASKATOON (CP) - One of Canada's best-known marijuana activists was
sentenced Thursday to three months in jail after pleading guilty to passing
a joint to a supporter last March.

Marc Emery, president of the B.C. Marijuana Party and founder of Cannabis
Culture magazine, was charged with trafficking after he spoke at a political
rally at the University of Saskatchewan.

''Three months for one joint?'' a stunned Emery asked the gallery before a
bailiff shushed him.

While it was Emery's eleventh drug-related conviction, it was the first time
he has been sentenced to jail. His lawyer said the sentence is too strict
for simply passing one joint to one person.

''I do have an issue with the length of the sentence,'' said Leanne Johnson.
''Three months is a bit of overkill, perhaps, for passing one joint to one
person.''

Prosecutor Frank Impey conceded the amount of marijuana in question was
small, but emphasized Emery's 10 prior drug offences warranted more than a
fine or a suspended sentence.

Johnson argued the public's attitude toward marijuana has changed.

The defence lawyer noted Prime Minister Paul Martin plans to reintroduce
legislation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of the drug.

Emery said his devotion to marijuana won't change.

''Marijuana is the most beautiful, perfect plant ever put on this earth. I'm
a great devotee of it and that won't change, no matter what a judge would
sentence me to.''