http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2011/04/15/18013851.html

News Canada
'Prince of Pot' denied move to Canada
By KRISTY BROWNLEE, QMI Agency

Last Updated: April 16, 2011 4:21am

Canada's "Prince of Pot" has been denied a prison transfer back to Canada and will likely serve his entire sentence in the United States.

Vancouver resident Marc Emery was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty in the U.S. on May 24 for selling marijuana seeds online to Americans.

Kirk Tousaw, his Vancouver lawyer, said the Canadian consulate advised Emery, 53, on Friday that he was denied a transfer to Canada by U.S. authorities due to the "seriousness of the offence" and "law enforcement concerns."

Tousaw said the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the decision, but did not elaborate on the reasons for the decision.

Emery is eligible to reapply for a transfer to a Canadian prison in two years, Tousaw said.

Emery's wife, Jodie, 26, said she is "devastated."

"This is pretty shocking to think he will have to serve 85 to 100% of his sentence in the U.S., when people right now are legally selling marijuana seeds in the U.S.," she said. "The irony is upsetting."

Jodie said with good behaviour Emery could be released after serving 85% of his sentence.

He is currently in Oklahoma City awaiting transfer to a medium-security federal prison in Mississippi.