cannabisnews.com: Marc Emery Plans His Own Arrest in Calgary Marc Emery Plans His Own Arrest in Calgary Posted by CN Staff on August 07, 2003 at 19:52:53 PT By Tom Babin Source: FFWD Calgary’s best-known marijuana activist is teaming up with Canada’s "Prince of Pot" for a rally to challenge Canada’s marijuana laws. Local activist Grant Krieger, who has long argued for the legal use of medicinal marijuana in Canada, will attend a rally this week to show support for Marc Emery, president of the B.C. Marijuana Party, founder of Pot TV and publisher of Cannabis Culture magazine. Emery is bringing his Summer of Legalization tour – and his accompanying "canuck bong" – to the steps of the Calgary’s police department headquarters on August 9 in what could turn out to be the latest in a handful of arrests this summer for smoking marijuana.Emery says smoking dope on police property is his way of forcing the courts and parliament to recognize what he calls the "absence of marijuana laws in Canada" after a number of recent court decisions called Canada’s prohibition of the drug into question. He also is also trying to draw attention to Ottawa’s "absurd" plan to decriminalize marijuana – and he doesn’t mind spending some time in jail to make his point."I’m contending there is no marijuana law in Canada," Emery says. "There hasn’t really been marijuana in the schedule (of banned substances) for over two years now. I’m trying to get a judge to recognize the argument."So far, Emery’s quest to face a judge has been a resounding success. He’s been arrested four times during rallies at police headquarters throughout eastern Canada (he was ignored at a few others).A Calgary police service spokesperson told Fast Forward that they weren’t aware of Emery’s visit, so they had no plans on how to deal with any offence that may occur.Emery says he’s learned that Edmonton’s police service doesn’t plan to arrest him during a rally in that city on August 10, but he isn’t expecting the same treatment in Calgary.In addition to challenging Canada’s existing pot laws, Emery says he hopes to highlight his opposition to the federal government’s proposal to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. He says the proposal’s call to toughen up laws against marijuana producers and dealers while simply issuing a fine to those charged with possessing small amounts of the narcotic is a mistake."There are 200,000 people in Canada (who produce and distribute marijuana) – do a quarter of a million people have to go to jail for up to 14 years?" Emery says."To me, it’s all much worse. It’s absurd."Emery says marijuana should be legalized completely so its sale can be regulated for safety, it can generate tax revenue and the industry can emerge from the underground."We’re really missing a beautiful opportunity to legalize marijuana here," he says.Krieger, who has faced judges for violating pot laws numerous times, has joined Emery on several stops on the tour. He says Emery’s fight is important, even in the wake of the government’s move toward decriminalization."There are still people being charged," he says.Krieger has another reason to be on hand – it’s the day his supporters are throwing him a public birthday bash to raise money for his foundation and his own court battles. Tickets for the event are on sale at local hemp stores. Complete Title: Pot Activist Marc Emery Plans His Own Arrest in CalgarySource: FFWD (CN AB)Author: Tom BabinPublished: August 7, 2003Copyright: 2003 FFWDContact info ffwd.greatwest.caWebsite: http://www.ffwdweekly.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Pot-TVhttp://www.pot-tv.net/B.C. Marijuana Partyhttp://www.bcmarijuanaparty.ca/Cannabis Culture Magazinehttp://www.cannabisculture.com/Pot Crusader Arrested in St. John'shttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16963.shtmlPot Supporter Busted Againhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16962.shtmlLeave Grant Krieger Alone http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13086.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by 13th step on August 07, 2003 at 23:46:30 PT Fom, what I meant to get across... ...was more along the lines of "Tell them that Cannabis is not a narcotic" .I know that Emery would absolutely not say that, that error definitely came from the writer (or maybe an editor??) and we need to let them know it is not and they need to get their facts straight before unleashing it upon their readers.Oops. Not a very articulate fella, but I try...: O [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on August 07, 2003 at 22:32:18 PT 13th step I didn't see quotes around that sentence so I believe those are the words of the writer not Marc. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by 13th step on August 07, 2003 at 22:25:22 PT Narcotic, eh? In addition to challenging Canada’s existing pot laws, Emery says he hopes to highlight his opposition to the federal government’s proposal to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. He says the proposal’s call to toughen up laws against marijuana producers and dealers while simply issuing a fine to those charged with possessing small amounts of the narcotic is a mistake.Hmm, I know Emery wouldn't call cannabis a narcotic...info ffwd.greatwest.camail 'em and tell 'em... [ Post Comment ] Post Comment