Coverage of the Marc Emery case

I thought I should highlight a story and chat Marc Emery did for the Washington Post. For those who don't know Emery's story, he is a Canadian who sells marijuana seeds. But he is not in trouble with the Canadian authorities; he is in trouble with the DEA.

Emery sold seeds that made their way across the border, and now he is fighting extradition to the United States.

Regardless of where you stand on the marijuana issue, Emery makes a compelling point in the chat, if I may quote from that, "Yet because I provided safe seeds to consenting adults (not a one of whom complained!) in America, I face a prison term longer than what a multiple murderer would receive in a Canadian jail. And no one has ever been sentenced to one day in jail for seeds in Canada."

That sentence potentially is life imprisonment. Assuming he's correct about the status in Canada, that is an extreme diversions of positions.

For those in the U.S., you should know that Canada is way more relaxed about marijuana, especially in British Columbia, where Emery lives. When I visited in Vancouver, I noticed a much more laid-back approach.

Before the last federal election in Canada, the Liberal government tried to make possession of pot a matter of a small fine. When the Liberals get back into power, that law will likely pass.

And if you still wonder about Emery, think about this. DEA agents crossed the border to apprehend him. According to Emery, he has a good idea of who triggered the response, clearly marked as a setup.

Normally in extradition hearings, the alleged suspect flees a jurisdiction and they try to get that person back. This is a little unusual since Emery never entered the United States, and yet they want to try him in the States. The DEA doesn't likely want to have Canada try him, since it knows the punishment would be a fine at best.

This is a story that is more about trampling of national boundaries and less on marijuana.