cannabisnews.com: U.S. Drug 'Refugees' Flee Here U.S. Drug 'Refugees' Flee Here Posted by CN Staff on May 01, 2003 at 01:48:56 PT By Jason Botchford Source: Winnipeg Sun For Renee Boje, Canada is freedom. Facing charges in the U.S. of conspiracy to cultivate and distribute grass, Boje fled to Canada five years ago where she has built a blissful life with a husband and a baby. "But I have nightmares that haunt me, nightmares that I will be forced to go back to the U.S.," Boje said. Boje was arrested in California in 1997 for cultivating medical marijuana plants. Initially, her charges were dropped. But in May of 1998, nearly 10 months after she was first arrested, Renee's lawyer Kenneth Kahn told her the charges against her would most likely be reinstated. He advised her to flee to Canada. "Canada has opened its arms to me," Boje said. "I love the people here. I love the country. I just never want to go back home." On Feb. 9, 2000, a B.C. Supreme Court judge ordered Boje to surrender herself for extradition. If convicted, she faces a minimum sentence of 10 years. She is out on bail in Vancouver and is appealing to the public to write to federal Justice Minister Anne McLellan asking her to intervene. Recently, actor Woody Harrelson added his support to the campaign. In fighting extradition, Boje is arguing that U.S. prisons have become so brutal that placing her in one for marijuana constitutes punishment that is too harsh by Canadian standards. Boje is one of a growing number of "drug war refugees" who are begging Canada for asylum, asking for something which is rare for citizens of First World countries: political refugee status. Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)Author: Jason BotchfordPublished: Thursday, May 1, 2003 Copyright: 2003 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: editor wpgsun.com Website: http://www.fyiwinnipeg.com/winsun.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Site:Renee Boje Home Pagehttp://www.reneeboje.com/Fleeing North - AlterNethttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13400.shtmlDrug Refugees - Report Newsmagazine http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13224.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by afterburner on May 01, 2003 at 12:44:12 PT: It Might Help to Contact the Correct Minister. The federal Minister of Justice is Martin Cauchon.On January 15, 2002, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien appointed Mr. Cauchon as Canada's 45th Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister with political responsibility for Quebec. -The Honourable Martin Cauchon http://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/mag/The federal Health Minister is Anne McLellan.POT-TV: Health Minister Cancels Federal Medical Marijuana Program http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1478.htmlMcLellan defends SARS airport screening http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1051643351663 2003-04-30 14:18:07 [National] OTTAWA (CP) — Health Minister Anne McLellan denies she ignored a warning from her Ontario counterpart, Tony Clement, about inadequacies in airport screening for SARS.Friends, write to both of them. It can't hurt. Best wishes, Renee Boje, on your appeal. ego transcendence follows ego destruction, and suddenly there is no question. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment