AMERICANS ARE DOPES ON POT

Such are the curiosities of the Canadian -- and American -- justice
systems that Marc Emery, Canada's so-called "prince of pot" is likely
headed to jail for longer than some violent offenders.

It's another signal that old-fashioned views on marijuana are in
desperate need of a reality check.

Emery, a Vancouver business owner, agreed this week to plead guilty to
U.S. charges of selling marijuana seeds to American buyers over the
Internet. Arrested in 2005 in Halifax at the request of U.S.
authorities, he made the deal so he could spend the five-year prison
term in Canada.

But the colourful Emery remains defiant: "I'm really pleased and proud
of what I've done. I wish I could have done more to piss the U.S.
government off."

Emery is no stranger to such antics. He gained a reputation early in
his career in London, Ont., attacking authorities over free speech,
Sunday shopping and legalized marijuana.

He dared authorities to arrest him, and once smoked a joint in front
of the London police station, a stunt he repeated in cities across the
country. He spent two months in a Saskatoon jail for lighting up in
public there.

The founder of the B.C. Marijuana Party says he's "a victim of
political advocacy" and says he did no wrong: "There's no victim in my
case. There's nobody claiming I hurt them."

Alan Young, a professor at Osgood Hall Law School at York University
who knows Emery, also questions the system: "I think it's remarkable
that I could cripple someone and put them in hospital . . . and get
less time than Marc will serve."

While many Canadians simply don't care if marijuana is decriminalized
or not, an increasing number wonder why the justice system spends so
much energy and money on people such as Emery. Given society's myriad
of ills, Americans should be equally concerned.

It may be only a matter of time before Emery, no matter how annoying
he may be to some, will be lauded as a pioneer and common-sense
trailblazer -- and perhaps even be rewarded with elected office.