PRINCE OF POT FREED ON BAIL

SASKATOON -- B.C. marijuana activist Marc Emery was released from jail
yesterday after spending three nights and paying $3,500 bail.

"I'm actually ashamed to think this is part of Canada," Emery said
outside provincial court. "By the time I factor in my bail and all my
legal fees, it cost me over $12,000 [for] passing a joint in this
city. That's the most wicked, harshest jurisdiction I've ever
encountered in Canada."

Emery, the B.C. Marijuana Party president known as the Prince of Pot,
was arrested Monday at a bandshell for passing out joints.

He had given a pro-marijuana speech at the University of Saskatchewan
earlier in the evening as part of a national university tour.

The Crown is pursuing a charge of trafficking.

Under his bail conditions, Emery is not allowed to possess or traffic
marijuana and must submit to random police searches of his person,
vehicle and home.

Crown prosecutor Frank Impey had argued that Emery should be denied
bail altogether because he was likely to reoffend.

Judge Peter Kolenick observed that despite Emery's frequent
marijuana-related arrests, he has no breaches of undertaking.

Emery said he's been targeted by authorities because of his activist
stance.