On Lew Rockwell

Over on LewRockwell.com, my friend Mike Cust and I pen an article about pot activist Marc Emery. He's facing extradition into the U.S. for selling marijuana seeds on the internet to Americans. It's likely, should he be deprorted, that he will get life in prison.

The piece is entitled "Block the extradition of a hero for liberty." Here is an excerpt:

It is because of his long career of activism that the DEA is targeting him. Unlike other seed merchants who quietly conduct their affairs, Emery puts the brunt of his efforts into the movement to end the prohibition of marijuana and to legitimate the culture that has emerged surrounding the plant.

Since the prohibition of drugs is a multi-billion dollar affair, we shouldn't be surprised. Drug cops, prosecutors, judges, politicians, prison construction contractors, companies that use cheap prison labour, and military firms that sell weapons and surveillance equipment to drug law enforcement are all significantly enriched by the continuation of the war on drugs.

Further, those participating in the drug war share a common assumption about members of the marijuana culture. They all believe that marijuana people are second-class citizens who deserve to be vilified. Their views are best expressed in U.S. Drug Czar John Walter's statement that Vancouver's marijuana scene is "moral pollution."

In the public policy sphere, the assumptions of the drug warriors are the rule. With very few exceptions, all politicians operate on the assumption that there is something inherently wrong with using and growing marijuana.

But such views are in direct contradiction with society's values. Consider Cheech and Chong movies, the Simpsons, South Park, late-night talk shows, and the stories most of us have about our own experiences with marijuana. These all involve the implicit understanding that smoking marijuana is innocent, largely harmless, and fun.

We're right to think that.

Comments

  1. Anonymous2:45 PM

    I wish him the very best. What an obscene and revolting business.

    Julius

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous6:56 PM

    Great bio on Marc! He is a hero for the cause of liberty. I sure hope he doesn't become a martyr.

    I've posted links to the story on the forums I frequent. Everyone should do the same. Keep this in the News!

    Peace
    Kali

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous9:08 PM

    Do they have a libertarian "crew" in prison that can give this guy protection?

    Some groups do better in prison than others. It's un-PC to say it, but that a white fella doesn't stand a chance in the can is reality.

    I wish your guy the best. The law is probably more influenced by bible thumpers than corporations. Plenty of profits can be made with legalized weed.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the kudos. The article, it appears, will be re-printed in Cannabis Health magazine. I was also contacted to give two radio interviews about this for a station in Calgary, Alberta. It's possible that they stream the radio show (in fact, the one on Monday does), so I'll post the link.

    If you are Canadian, consider signing this petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/Emery/petition.html
    or helping to spread news of the petition to potential Canadians.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous12:01 PM

    Great article!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous11:39 AM

    Great article! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous5:26 PM

    Thanks for interesting article.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous8:04 AM

    Excellent website. Good work. Very useful. I will bookmark!

    ReplyDelete

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