Canadian extradited to face U.S. charges

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 10 (UPI) -- A Canadian marijuana activist will be extradited to the United States to face sentencing on drug and money-laundering charges, officials say.

Marc Emery of Vancouver, B.C., Canada's self-proclaimed "Prince of Pot," was given a five-year prison sentence last fall after pleading guilty to conspiracy to manufacture marijuana stemming from a mail-order business selling pot seeds from Vancouver to U.S. residents, The (Vancouver) Province reported Monday.

Emery, who has been out of jail on bail since November awaiting a decision on the extradition, turned himself in to Canadian authorities Monday.

Emery said he thought Justice Minister Rob Nicholson delayed his decision because extraditing Emery could be seen as a potential political liability for the Conservative government, the newspaper said.

"I think he would rather say yes if they had a majority government where there would be no repercussions, but we could have an election called in two weeks or even in the fall," Emery said.

"I think there's a great deal of shock and disappointment," Emery's attorney Kirk Tousaw said. "It's clear to me that this is a deeply unpopular move by the Conservative government."

Emery says he hopes to be transferred back to Canada to serve his time.

"If he sends me away, it will anger millions of Americans and millions of Canadians," Emery said of the extradition order. "I need them to be angry, otherwise we won't get any change on this drug war."