Yay! I got to talk to Marc!

As I was sitting in a school newspaper meeting yesterday ( I write for the college paper) my cell phone rang. The call was from an unknown number. I usually don't answer those calls. However, I had talked to Jodie, Marc's wife, the evening before and she said Marc had been trying to call me all day the day before. She said if he called again the number would be unknown. I thought it might be Marc and sure enough it was.

Marc said I was the first person aside from Jodie that he had talked to since being taken into custody. He is doing well....considering the circumstances. He is a vegetarian so the diet at the prison leaves a great deal to be desired.

We talked about what his days are like and he wanted to know what I had been doing, how the kids are doing, how college is going, how my activism is going. We talked for about 15 minutes and as I was in the middle of telling him the latest news on the Rochester case he had to go. He has a letter on the way that I mailed over a week ago detailing the Rochester case. I know he will be happy to read about that.

It was really great to talk to him and I just thought all of my readers would like to know that he sounds very good and is adjusting as best he can. Some of you have asked about sending him money. Jodie says the best way is to send it to her and let her take it to him if you are sending money from the US. That will negate the need for a specific type of money order or the guards pocketing the cash that might be sent. I will post an address for sending Jodie money later today.

If you would like to write Marc please send your letters to:

Marc Emery
CS #06032080
1451 Kingsway Avenue
Port Coquitlam, BC
V3C 1S2
Canada

Marc Emery's Prison Podcast

Marc Emery's first report from prison can be heard HERE! Please take a few moments to listen. Then write Marc a letter and send him some money.

I wrote him earlier this week and detailed the latest events in the John Alexander (Alex) Rochester case which ought to make Marc very proud and happy. When you write Marc try to make all of your words positive. Send him drug policy and activism news that happen in your town or state or that you are directly involved in.

420 Vancouver Style!

4/20/2008 marked the one year anniversary of the the dismissal of marijuana charges against me in Tallapoosa Co. Being such an important anniversary, because it is so rare to win a court case like mine in Alabama, my great friend and mentor Marc Emery, Canada's 'Prince of Pot' invited me up to Vancouver, BC, Canada on an all expenses paid trip to celebrate in sublime style. It was the first time I have seen Marc in three years and if he is extradited to the US to stand charges on selling seeds FROM CANADA then it may have been the last time I will ever see him. I can't stand to even contemplate that horrific potential reality.

Marc Emery & Loretta Nall Vancouver 4/20/2008

Marc is the person most responsible for my activism in Alabama and the US. I met him in 2002 on the Cannabis Culture Forums and first visited him in September of 2002. Coincidentally, that is also the same month that the US DEA began their investigation of his seed selling business in Vancouver. He had been open about it for as long as he had been engaged in the business and even paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in Canadian taxes which he reported as 'revenue from marijuana seed sales'. The Canadians turned a blind eye to it for years but were somehow swayed by the American government to arrest Marc and extradite him to stand trial for selling seeds from Canada. Marc is a Canadian citizen. How is it possible to break US laws when you are not a US citizen, haven't been in the country in years and everything you did was done NOT ON AMERICAN SOIL?

After meeting Marc and spending a weekend in BC with him teaching me about activism I returned to the US. Nine days later the first helicopter raid happened at my home. I guess the US Government thought I'd smuggled a bunch of pot seeds back into the US and had potentially planted my 2 acres in BC Bud. Which was incredibly silly. I fought back by founding the Alabama Marijuana Party and writing my first letter to the editor and promptly being arrested and jailed for it six days later.

Through all of the court battles, DHR battles, school battles and everything that came along with my nearly 5 year war to get the case dismissed Marc Emery was right by my side. He hired me to be the anchor for Pot TV News, as a freelance journalist for Cannabis Culture Magazine and sent me all over the US and to Colombia, South America to learn and teach about the awful consequences and utter failure of the drug war. He also sent me to various places in Canada including Ottawa, Niagara Falls and many trips to Vancouver. He paid me well, paid for surgery for my daughter, denied me nothing, enriched me with his knowledge, has always said I am his #1 student and protege and has always treated me pretty much like a queen.

Marc spent his money on activism all across the world, developing and cultivating people like me on nearly every continent. That is why the US Government wanted him arrested. Not for selling seeds....but for sowing the seeds of freedom and drug sanity all across the globe. That was by far the most dangerous thing about Marc Emery as far as the US Government was concerned. Former DEA head Karen Tandy even admitted it in this 2005 news release regarding Marc's arrest.

What a nightmare to think that someone as good as Marc could be caged in the US for the rest of his life. Wow...what happened to my country?

Back to the trip.

My personal stash

A closer look. YUMMY!!


Throwing a massive civil disobedience party for 10,000 + people is no easy task. All in all around 7 pounds of fine BC Bud were rolled over the course of three days by many, many volunteers. I spent two days rolling for hours on end. It was grand fun. On 4/20 at 4:20 pm I threw them out to the crowd and was captured on Canadian National TV doing so. I should have a copy of the video later today.





The above photo is what is called 'budder' or 'butter'. It is a VERY VERY STRONG concentration of THC and is derived from hash oil. You can smoke it in a pipe, on a hot knife, the head of a pin or smear it on your rolling paper for a super tasty joint. I took one hit of butter while I was in BC. It's quite a bit too strong for yours truly.

Butter on a rolling paper

So, that's what they mean by BC logging industry?


BCMP staff surveying the fruits of their labor



HAPPY 420!!! The following photos were taken on 4/20/2008 at the Vancouver Art Gallery. There were at least 10,000 people there throughout the day. The thicker the smoke gets in the air the closer you know it is to 4:20

Whats a Pot Party without a beach ball?



Nicole, a BCMP staffer and wonderful companion to me during this trip. Her husband Jacob was also great!
Now, that's a weird lookin' dude. I have no doubt he could land the leading role in any Satanic movie. He wasn't a bad dancer though.



Guess what time it is?








It was really amazing to see a crowd that large engaged in peaceful massive civil disobedience. Nice to know that freedom does still exist somewhere in North America. We used to do things like that in the US, but sadly most folks have succumbed to the fear instilled by the US government. It is quite a powerful and wonderful feeling to be part of like minded group of people so huge that even if the cops wanted to do something they would be far, far outnumbered.

In a crowd exceeding 10,000 people there was only one incident requiring police and medics and it was some stupid guy who got so drunk (he brought his alcohol with him...none was sold at the event) that he crashed face first into the concrete. There were no arrests related to the marijuana being smoked very openly at the rally. The police even helped us out when the crowd swelled so large that two major downtown streets had to be closed off. They directed traffic and ensured the safety of everyone there. It was nice to see them do their job. I wish our cops would take a page from their book.

A little bit on the actual traveling part of the trip to and from Vancouver.

While I love to go to Canada and see Marc and my other friends I hate the travel part, because it requires the crossing of borders. Being who I am I'm usually stopped going into Canada or coming back into the US or both. I am subjected to repeated questioning about what I was doing in Canada, who I saw, what I do in the US, why have I been to Colombia. The list goes on and on and on. On more than one occasion I have only very narrowly escaped the latex glove treatment. No kidding.

On my first trip to Canada I was held six hours in Canadian Customs because they thought I was bringing pot to Canada from Alabama. Yeah...that's hysterical...I know!! Finally I told them that folks like me didn't come to Canada to bring them our pot...we came to smoke theirs! I believe it was that statement that finally convinced them that I was not, in fact, hiding Mexican ditch weed seeds up my butt.

I have been detained, made to miss flights and even had my computer seized by US Customs crossing back into the US from Canada in 2004. They copied the hard drive. Without a warrant.

So, when I travel it requires that I repeat a mantra over and over about staying calm, that I psyche myself up for the almost inevitable interrogation on either side of the border or both. You can't lose your temper with the border guards. I mean, you can you know...but it isn't advisable. Trust me on that one!

Of course, after ten hours of hurtling through the air in a cramped metal tube, smelling the gagging smell of baby shit which keeps recirculating through the vents (somebody always gotta change that baby about five minutes into a 7 hour flight you know?), humping it through airports where your disembark point is the absolute furtherest away from your connecting flight point all combined with a massive nicotine fit, anyone's temper would be hard to keep in check...but you have to.

So, fully psyched and ready for hours of endless bullshit from Canadian Customs I got off the plane in Vancouver and, to my absolute astonishment, breezed through Customs in about 2 minutes. That made me real, real happy!

I expected trouble coming back into the US. I figured all of my clothing would trigger the ion machines at the airport, or that US Customs would look at me like I was a terrorist once they scanned the bar code on my passport, cuz that's what they usually do. Hell, I didn't even take my laptop with me to Canada on this trip because I didn't want it copied again. But, once again, to my utter astonishment I was allowed to pass through unmolested by some self-righteous prick in a government uniform. HALLELUJAH thought I...I'm home free.

But, I oughta know better than that by now. A friend of mine drove me home from the airport and they were kind enough to provide me with some much needed medication for my arthritic back on the way. Only a few minutes after everything was disposed of we came over the bridge on 280 into Harpersville and were confronted by many police cars with their lights flashing blocking traffic up ahead. Now, this was close to 2 A.M. this morning. There were also wreckers waiting along with the cop cars. Why there were cops and wreckers on 280 stopping traffic at 2 A.M. I haven't a clue.

My friend Marc had autographed a Cannabis Culture magazine for my friend and I had taken it out and laid it on the seat so I wouldn't forget to give it to my friend. As soon as I saw the lights ahead I hid it. Now, as it turns out, my friend has not been living in the state long and has a tag from out of state. That tag is expired. They have been trying for months to get all of the necessary paperwork from their former state of residence so that this state can issue a tag. But every time they have been to get the tag this state always informs them of a new something that they need. My friend relays all of this to me as we get closer to the cops.

I thought (while trying to suppress some wild, maniacal laughter that had started to bubble up), "Now that's just fucking perfect! I make it all the way into Canada without being raped by Customs, while there I engaged in mass civil disobedience and was even on National TV handing out all those joints I helped roll, and I made it back into the US without being raped by Customs only to be popped by Officer Jim Bob Earl Jones of the Harpersville, Alabama Police Department on HWY 280 at 2 o'clock in the morning. Goddamn that's just my luck! FUCK!"

Not that we had anything to fear, there was nothing illegal in the car. But my clothing would have been enough to set a dog off had one been out there. The magazine would have suddenly turned into grounds for a search, and I don't even want to think about what the officer would have made of the pictures on my camera. I was just really tired and Officer Jim Bob Earl Jones was about the last fucking thing I wanted to deal with at the moment. He would have asked a lot of questions that I didn't feel like answering.

However, despite the expired tag and despite the fact that the insurance card was also out of date by a few months the cop miraculously believed my friends story and after issuing only a verbal warning to 'get that stuff taken care of' he sent us on our merry way. WHEW!

That's three for three in less than a week for me coming out unscathed when encountering law enforcement officers. I think I'll take a break for a bit until my luck builds back up cuz I know this can't last.











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Snag in deal by U.S and Canada's "Prince of Pot"

Reuters

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - A deal to resolve the extradition fight between Canada's "Prince of Pot" and U.S. drug authorities has hit a snag, the marijuana activist said on Wednesday.

The United States wants to extradite Marc Emery -- who founded a political party and campaigned across Canada to legalize pot -- on charges he illegally sold marijuana seeds from his Vancouver store to American buyers.

Emery tentatively agreed with U.S. prosecutors in January to plead guilty in return for the charges being dropped against two other defendants and he being allowed to spend the bulk of a 10-year sentence in Canada.

Canada must also approve the deal, but its prosecutors say a Canadian judge cannot be ordered to impose a U.S. prison sentence of no release for at least five years that is stricter than Canadian law requires.

"The Canadian government says that's not legal in Canada ... and so Justice Department in the United States says the deal is not possible because the Canadians are not playing ball so to speak," Emery told reporters.

Emery was in court in Vancouver on Wednesday to set a date for his extradition trial, but a judge agreed to postpone the hearing until April 19 to allow his lawyers, U.S. and Canadian prosecutors to continue negotiating.

Emery said he will fight extradition if a deal is not reached.

Emery has accused Canadian police of bowing to U.S. political demands by arresting him in 2005, since his activities were well-known and tolerated in Canada -- where he even paid taxes on his seed sales.

(Reporting Allan Dowd, Editing by Sandra Maler)

This is EXCEPTIONALLY GREAT NEWS! Marc Emery is my mentor and for years was my employer and funder for drug policy reform work. He doesn't deserve one second in a US or Canadian prison and I am just about beside myself to see that the Canadian justice system is calling bullshit and REFUSING to play ball by American rules.

I love you Marc! Keep kickin' those prohibitionist asses baby!!


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Marc Emery Agrees to 5 years in plea deal

The Vancouver Sun is reporting that Marc Emery, my great friend and mentor, has agreed to a 5-year prison sentence to be served in Canada.

MARC EMERY AGREES TO FIVE YEARS IN CANADIAN PRISON

VANCOUVER - Marc Emery, Vancouver's self-styled Prince of Pot, has
tentatively agreed to a five-year prison term in a plea bargain over
U.S. money laundering and marijuana seed-selling charges.

Facing an extradition hearing Jan. 21 and the all-but-certain
prospect of delivery to American authorities, Emery has cut a deal
with U.S. prosecutors to serve his sentence in Canada. He also hopes
it will save his two co-accused - Michelle Rainey and Greg Williams,
who were his lieutenants for so much of the past decade.

The three were arrested in August 2005 at the request of the United
States and charged even though none had ventured south of the border.
Since then, they have been awaiting the extradition hearing. With the
proceedings about to begin, Emery says his lawyer brokered the best
deal possible.

If accepted by the courts in both countries, Emery said he will serve
the full term and not be eligible for Canada's lenient
get-out-of-jail-early rules.

"I'm going to do more time than many violent, repeat offenders," he
complained. "There isn't a single victim in my case, no one who can
stand up and say, 'I was hurt by Marc Emery.' No one."

He's right. Whatever else you may think of Emery - and he grates on
many people, what is happening here is a travesty of justice. Emery's
case mocks our independence as a country. Prosecutors in Canada have
not enforced the law against selling pot seeds and all you need do is
walk along Hastings Street between Homer and Cambie for proof.

There are numerous stores selling seeds and products for producing
cannabis. Around the corner, you'll find more seed stores. You'll
find the same shops in Toronto and in other major Canadian cities.

The last time Emery was convicted in Canada of selling pot seeds,
back in 1998, he was given a $2,000 fine. Emery has flouted the law
for more than a decade and every year he sends his seed catalogue to
politicians of every stripe.

He has run in federal, provincial and civic elections promoting his
pro-cannabis platform. He has championed legal marijuana at
parliamentary hearings, on national television, at celebrity
conferences, in his own magazine, Cannabis Culture, and on his own
Internet channel, Pot TV.

Health Canada even recommended medical marijuana patients buy their
seeds from Emery. From 1998 until his arrest, Emery even paid
provincial and federal taxes as a "marijuana seed vendor" totalling
nearly $600,000.

He is being hounded because of his success. The political landscape
has changed dramatically as a result of Emery's politicking for
cannabis. Emery challenged a law he disagrees with using exactly the
non-violent, democratic processes we urge our children to embrace and
of which we are so proud.

But along the way he has angered the anti-drug law-enforcement
community - the same gang that insists we must continue an expensive
War on Drugs that has failed miserably for more than a quarter
century and does more harm than good.

READ THE REST

Five years in a Canadian prison with no 'good time' will no doubt suck out loud. However, when considering that Marc was facing life in an American prison it looks like a sweet deal to me. I just spoke with Marc last week about this very thing. At that time he was adamant that he would not take a plea deal. We discussed his motivations for that and when he was done explaining I had to agree with his decision. I also admired it and could see myself being as obstinate as a mule if I were in his position. However, I am very happy to read this morning that he has changed his mind. I hope that the US authorities accept the deal and Marc never has to leave Canadian soil.

I love you Marc. This is the right decision. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.

Marc Emery: This is the man the US wants to jail for life

A few days ago I posted a documentary about Marc's case and said that from that day forward I would make one post a day about the last almost six years that Marc has been a major part of my personal and public life. Naturally, things came up that prevented me from getting started writing until today. Please forgive.

I want to just share one story today that speaks to the character and compassion of Marc Emery. Back in 2003 after all my legal trouble with Tallapoosa County law enforcement and Horseshoe Bend school began I found myself in a very bad situation. My daughter Bell used to have chronic ear infections. When she was one she had tubes put in. They eventually came out on their own. For the first surgery we had health care coverage and were able to get the surgery without any problems. When her tubes came out she immediately began having chronic ear infections again. We did not have health care coverage due to job changes and not being able to afford it. We paid for doctor visits and prescriptions when those needs arose. But, paying for surgery was a whole other ballgame. Her pediatrician had not said she needed surgery again, had not said that he was worried about permanent damage, but had said that she would grow out of it. That is what happened to me as a child.

Since the school and DHR were after me for any and every little thing, they seized on my daughter's ear infections as a possible way to legally kidnap her. One day she brought a letter home from the school nurse that was very threatening in tone. Apparently, if you are poor and refuse government services your children can be taken. That is pretty much what was in the letter.

I needn't tell you I was terrified. I was friends with Marc Emery, but had only known him a few months. I did some freelance writing for Cannabis Culture magazine and filled in as Pot-TV news anchor on occasion...but was not formally working for Marc at that time. I called him and told him what was happening.

"Marc, I don't know what to do", I hysterically sobbed. I don't have the money for this surgery. It costs over $6,000.00 without insurance and we don't have health insurance. They are going to take my daughter." And Marc said, "Yes you do have health insurance...you have Canadian health insurance."

That very day he sent me $6,000.00 so my daughter could get tubes in her ears again and I could get out from under the threat of the government kidnapping her because her family is poor.

The US DEA has named my friend and mentor public enemy #1 and they want to extradite him from his home country for selling pot seeds to willing American consumers. They say he is a 'kingpin', who laundered millions of dollars over the years. They say 'laundered' because they can't locate it to seize. But it wasn't laundered. It was sent to people like me all over Canada and North America. For things like surgery for a child in need.

Does sending $6,000.00 to a terrified mother to get surgery for one of her children sound like money laundering to you? Does someone who would send that amount of money to a terrified mother for surgery for one of her children sound like a criminal who deserves to spend the rest of his life in a government cage to you?

If Marc Emery deserves to spend the rest of his life in jail then so do I. I would be safer imprisoned with like-minded people who are kind than free in a world of monsters who think our kind should be locked up!

I love you Marc!!

by Loretta Nall

Save My Mentor Marc Emery

I don't know how many people who are current readers and supporters of my work are aware of my connection to Marc Emery, Canada's famed 'Prince of Pot'. Marc and I have an almost six year history and he is directly responsible for my entrance into drug policy reform and political activism. It was Marc who inspired me to run for governor and so many of the other things that I have done. I am about to post five videos titled "The US vs. Marc Emery" that is a Canadian Public Television production that documents the case against Marc. He is facing life in a US federal prison for selling marijuana seeds through the mail. Please watch the videos and then contact the Canadian Justice Minister and politely ask him to block the extradition of Marc Emery. Marc's extradition hearing begins on Jan. 21. If he is sent to the US he will die here in a government cage. Every day this month leading up to the extradition hearing I am going to post about Marc, about our history together, our activism together and what a great person he is and why he does not deserve to die for selling seeds to willing buyers of a plant that will not kill you.

Marc, I love you...always will, and I intend to fight like hell to keep you in Canada.