PRINCE OF POT WANTS TO BE LOCKED UP

Honest Criminal

With four marijuana possession convictions, a fifth currently under
appeal, and "a deep respect for the judicial process," Marc Boris
St-Maurice doesn't understand why he hasn't been locked up.

"I'm an incorrigible recidivist with no chance of rehabilitation," he
said. "Obviously I've not learned my lesson so perhaps jail would be
the most appropriate remedy."

Obviously.

The most recent charge came last year when he was arrested at the
Bloc Pot office-cum-cafe known as Chez Marijane, when, acting without
warrants, undercover narcs joined the Bloc as a pretense for
gathering evidence. Found guilty and fined $300, he's taking his
conviction all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.

"In this case," he said, "the marijuana issue is not an issue. The
real debate in this case is what constitutes reasonable practices by
police. It's highly disturbing to know that any officer, on a whim,
can join a political party to gather evidence without first having to
justify it before a judge."

Launching the appeal, defence lawyer Julius Grey stated that it was
an unacceptable police practice and serious infringement of Charter rights.

As founder and former leader of the federal Marijuana Party,
St-Maurice, now a budding Liberal, knows how political parties work,
but experience has also taught him a whole lot more about cannabis
prohibition and how it doesn't work: He cites himself as a "living
example" of judicial stupidity.

"It's hypocritical for the courts and government to insist on

keeping pot illegal while refusing to apply the rules," he said. "The
inconsistencies make them look ridiculous."

As his appeal embarks on its long journey through the judiciary,
Boris is busy working behind the scenes with the post-Gomery wing of
the Quebec federal Liberals as they prepare for a looming election.
The marijuana issue hasn't shown up on anyone's radar yet, but after
12 years on the front lines of the movement, St-Maurice knows that
where there's smoke, something's definitely cooking. Activists will
use the campaign to return their issue to the front burner, so in
addition to working with the policy committee, Boris is preparing a
marijuana FAQ list for Liberal candidates.

"The rank and file are very supportive," he grins, "they're just a
little shy about doing so publicly."