LdyLunatic
i wanna be cool too!
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British Columumbia
Sep 2006
by Doug Ward, Vancouver Sun,
Dana Larsen Flouts Law With New Vancouver Store to Promote Legalization
Vancouver pot activist Dana Larsen was on the phone at his new Vancouver Seed Bank storefront Thursday, telling a caller from Wisconsin that he has no plans to sell pot seeds to Americans through the mail.
Larsen told the potential client that he doesn't want to make the mistake made by his long-time friend and colleague Marc Emery who sold marijuana seeds to U.S. addresses.
"I don't want to be extradited to the U.S. for selling seeds down there," Larsen, 35, explained, shortly after the phone call.
"Even in Canada the selling of marijuana seeds is in a grey zone of legality. But the penalties in Canadian law don't seem to be very severe."
American prosecutors are seeking the extradition of Emery, Vancouver's self-styled Prince of Pot, for selling marijuana seeds to Americans through the mail, conspiracy to manufacture pot and conspiracy to engage in money laundering.
Emery was arrested last year after police raided his pot paraphernalia store in Vancouver following a lengthy investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. He is currently free on bail.
Larsen, manager of the three-month-old Vancouver Seed Bank, said his business will fill the vacuum left by the prosecution of Emery, his long-time colleague and friend.
Emery's storefront and online seed operation was shut down last year by the Vancouver police department at the request of the U.S. government.
Larsen said there are other stores in Vancouver where pot connoisseurs can buy seeds and smoke marijuana. His store does not sell marijuana but pot smokers are invited to relax in the store's new outdoor Garden Lounge and toke in peace.
Larsen said he used to edit the magazine Cannibis Culture, which Emery publishes. These days Emery is editor and publisher while Larsen devotes himself to selling seeds.
"We largely opened this up because of what happened to Marc. And because it's good for our cause. We try to put the money we make back into the cause of legalization."
Larsen said Emery has no involvement with the Vancouver Seed Bank and hasn't even visited the storefront because it could put him in legal jeopardy.
Larsen said that he doesn't want to break the law or get arrested.
"But we are here to stretch the law, to make a point," said Larsen.
"I want to make a haven for marijuana culture and do it in a way that the police hopefully prioritize us at the bottom of their list."
Which appears to be what is happening. VPD spokesman Const. Howard Chow said the police are aware of the storefront but that other drug issues have a higher priority, including heroin and cocaine trafficking, crystal meth use and marijuana-growing operations.
Chow added that anyone selling marijuana seeds is breaking the law and that the Vancouver Seed Company "shouldn't expect that they will be allowed to operate with impunity and not attract the attention of our drug squad."
Chow added that convictions for sale of marijuana seeds typically result in fines -- a legal reality that gives comfort to seed merchant Larsen.
"If that's what happens to us then we will pay our fine and try to stay in business," said Chow.
"I don't think we are breaking the law in a serious enough way that we are going to have problems here.
Larsen said that prices range from $30 to $120 for bags of 10 to 12 seeds. "It's a weed and it's very easy to grow," he added.
Sep 2006
by Doug Ward, Vancouver Sun,
Dana Larsen Flouts Law With New Vancouver Store to Promote Legalization
Vancouver pot activist Dana Larsen was on the phone at his new Vancouver Seed Bank storefront Thursday, telling a caller from Wisconsin that he has no plans to sell pot seeds to Americans through the mail.
Larsen told the potential client that he doesn't want to make the mistake made by his long-time friend and colleague Marc Emery who sold marijuana seeds to U.S. addresses.
"I don't want to be extradited to the U.S. for selling seeds down there," Larsen, 35, explained, shortly after the phone call.
"Even in Canada the selling of marijuana seeds is in a grey zone of legality. But the penalties in Canadian law don't seem to be very severe."
American prosecutors are seeking the extradition of Emery, Vancouver's self-styled Prince of Pot, for selling marijuana seeds to Americans through the mail, conspiracy to manufacture pot and conspiracy to engage in money laundering.
Emery was arrested last year after police raided his pot paraphernalia store in Vancouver following a lengthy investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. He is currently free on bail.
Larsen, manager of the three-month-old Vancouver Seed Bank, said his business will fill the vacuum left by the prosecution of Emery, his long-time colleague and friend.
Emery's storefront and online seed operation was shut down last year by the Vancouver police department at the request of the U.S. government.
Larsen said there are other stores in Vancouver where pot connoisseurs can buy seeds and smoke marijuana. His store does not sell marijuana but pot smokers are invited to relax in the store's new outdoor Garden Lounge and toke in peace.
Larsen said he used to edit the magazine Cannibis Culture, which Emery publishes. These days Emery is editor and publisher while Larsen devotes himself to selling seeds.
"We largely opened this up because of what happened to Marc. And because it's good for our cause. We try to put the money we make back into the cause of legalization."
Larsen said Emery has no involvement with the Vancouver Seed Bank and hasn't even visited the storefront because it could put him in legal jeopardy.
Larsen said that he doesn't want to break the law or get arrested.
"But we are here to stretch the law, to make a point," said Larsen.
"I want to make a haven for marijuana culture and do it in a way that the police hopefully prioritize us at the bottom of their list."
Which appears to be what is happening. VPD spokesman Const. Howard Chow said the police are aware of the storefront but that other drug issues have a higher priority, including heroin and cocaine trafficking, crystal meth use and marijuana-growing operations.
Chow added that anyone selling marijuana seeds is breaking the law and that the Vancouver Seed Company "shouldn't expect that they will be allowed to operate with impunity and not attract the attention of our drug squad."
Chow added that convictions for sale of marijuana seeds typically result in fines -- a legal reality that gives comfort to seed merchant Larsen.
"If that's what happens to us then we will pay our fine and try to stay in business," said Chow.
"I don't think we are breaking the law in a serious enough way that we are going to have problems here.
Larsen said that prices range from $30 to $120 for bags of 10 to 12 seeds. "It's a weed and it's very easy to grow," he added.
