Article by Elysha Enos, CBC News
Marc Emery and his stores, Cannabis Culture, came out of nowhere last week with the announcement that they were breaking federal marijuana laws at eight secret locations in the city.
A few days later, the stores were raided, closed and Emery was thrown in jail. He was charged with drug trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking and conspiracy.
He has been released on bail and is due back in court Feb. 15.
Here’s a look at Emery’s background and what he might hope to accomplish in Montreal.
Emery, the self-proclaimed “Prince of Pot,” may be a hero to some marijuana advocates, but his crusading against perceived injustices suffered by citizens has taken many forms — from breaking Sunday shopping laws by overstaffing his bookstore, to rallying merchants to protect their right to sell pornography.
Before the bud, he was known to officials and policymakers in London, Ont., as the owner of a bookshop who regularly stood up against anything he disagreed with personally or professionally, regardless of the effort and personal risk involved.