Bail Hearing
Marc and Jodie Emery, marijuana activists, were both released on $30k bail this morning. Marc Emery’s bail conditions state that he must stay in Ontario and he cannot enter a cannabis store. Since Jodie is a BC resident, she is able to travel to BC, with permission.
Three co-accused were also released on $30k bail. However, all five have to surrender their passports and cannot have any weapons. In addition, they cannot consume controlled substances without legitimate prescriptions.
They have another court appearance on April 21.
The well-known Emery couple were arrested on Wednesday night (March 8) at the Pearson International Airport. According to CBC News, their charges by Toronto Police are for drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, and possession.
According to the Vancouver Sun, the Emery’s own the Cannabis Culture brand, used by a chain of 19 marijuana dispensaries in BC, Ontario, and Quebec.
Charges for Marc Emery, 59:
- Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
- Three counts of trafficking schedule II.
- Five counts of possession for the purpose schedule II.
- Five counts of possession proceeds of crime.
- Fail-to-comply recognizance.
Charges for Jodie Emery, 32:
- Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
- Trafficking schedule II.
- Possession for the purpose schedule II.
- Two counts of possession proceeds of crime.
Criminal History
It’s not the first time this couple, the “Prince” and “Princess of Pot”, are in the lime light with authorities.
Marc Emery was also arrested in 2005 by the DEA. According to CTV, he got charges in the US for “Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana Seeds, and Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering”. Ultimately, Marc Emery spent 4 years behind bars and was free from US prison in 2014.
Throughout his life, Marc Emery was in the New Democratic Party, the Freedom Party of Canada, the Marijuana Party of Canada, the Conservative Party of Canada, the BC Marijuana Party, and the Green Party of British Columbia. He and his wife are popular marijuana activists, so the news of their arrest on Wednesday sent media waves through the industry.
However, the arrest wasn’t the only surprise this week. On Thursday morning, police raided the Cannabis Culture Dispensary HQ, as well as the Toronto and Hamilton Cannabis Culture Dispensary locations.
The Cannabis Culture Dispensary raid was part of a Toronto Police operation “Project Gator“. It included 11 search warrants under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Project Gator
Project Gator dates back to May 26, 2016 when the Police raided 43 pot shops across Toronto. The raid, arresting 90 people and seizing hundreds of kilograms of drugs, was a shock to residents.
On May 27, 2016 the Cannabis Culture Dispensary at 801 Queen St, Toronto, opened it’s doors. Jodie Emery said to the Toronto Sun “we do not want to force people to be sick or to fake illness or to pay a doctor for permission to access cannabis”.
According to an indictment filed Thursday in a Toronto court, the Emery’s are accused of trafficking marijuana between last May 27 and this Thursday. During that same period, allegations include conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. This is by entering into an agreement to run a franchise whose main purpose is the trafficking of controlled substances” as recorded by the Vancouver Sun.
Mark Pugash, director of corporate communication for Toronto police, spoke to CBC Toronto. He stated “We have been enforcing the law, which is absolutely clear that dispensaries are illegal”.
The Police have spent nearly a full year, building a strong case against the accused. The data they collected specifically is currently unknown. However, more light will be shed on the case as we approach the next court appearance on April 21.
