Pot activist Marc Emery gives up extradition fight

By FERNANDO CARNEIRO; June 04, 2009 - METRO VANCOUVER
http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/local/article/240336--pot-ac...

Pot activist Marc Emery said he’ll no longer fight his looming extradition to the United States where he faces drug charges and will instead focus on cutting a deal with prosecutors.

“My lawyers put it to me bluntly,” Emery said on Thursday. “Canada has never not accepted an extradition request from the U.S. and the Conservative government hates you.”

He now plans to plead guilty to one charge of drug distribution if two other more serious charges are dropped. His lawyers are asking for a jail sentence of five years while American prosecutors are asking for eight.

Either way Emery is faced with preparing for jail.

“It’s all about planning activities to keep your mind busy,” he said. “I’m going to learn Spanish and French. My intention is to come back and get elected to Parliament.”

He added that as a Canadian marijuana activist he expects to be well received by all ethnic groups.

His lawyers will also work to have Emery transferred to a Canadian jail after his court appearance in Seattle next month.