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Pot activist Dana Larsen busted while handing out cannabis seeds in Calgary

Calgary police arrested high-profile marijuana activist in early stages of Canada-wide seed give-away tour

By David Bell, CBC News Posted: Apr 06, 2016 10:34 PM MT Last Updated: Apr 07, 2016 10:28 AM MT

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Pot activist Dana Larsen was taken into Calgary police custody Wednesday at a seed giveaway that drew about 150 supporters. (CBC)

A high-profile marijuana activist in the early stages of a Canada-wide seed give-away tour has been taken into custody by Calgary police, along with another man, during the second stop of the tour.

Dana Larsen’s goal was to give away a million cannabis seeds to Canadians to plant on public and private property as part of a multi stop tour he calls OverGrow Canada.

But police had other plans at the Calgary event, only the second stop in the tour after Kelowna.

“It is bullshit,” said Travis Donald, who attended the event.

“Shame, shame, shame,” chanted Dana Larsen supporters to Calgary police during his arrest 0:22

“It is just a plant that people use medicinally and otherwise for thousands of years. Our government still chooses to oppress the plant that gives all these people the relief they are looking for and it is less harmful than alcohol by any means so I don’t see why people are still going to prison,” Donald said.

“It is unjust.”

Travis Donald says police involvement wasn't needed at a cannabis seed give-away Wednesday at a south Calgary hotel. (CBC)
Travis Donald says police involvement wasn’t needed at a cannabis seed give-away Wednesday at a south Calgary hotel. (CBC)

The event had been publicized and about 150 people showed up at the Days Inn on Macleod Trail South Wednesday night.

Larsen spoke to supporters about the history of marijuana in Canada for about an hour.

When organizers ran out of seeds, one man went out to a van to get more and was promptly taken into custody, witnesses tell CBC News.

Larsen came out to investigate holding seeds in his hand. After speaking briefly to a group of supporters that had assembled outside, Larsen was taken into custody as well.

Cindy Heemeryck, an associate of Larsen’s, says she’s not happy about the police intervention.

“I am very upset about it, I am more upset about the van being confiscated with all our goods in there,” Heemeryck said.

“When I say goods, I mean packages of seeds people have ordered online … every chance we get to a mailbox we throw tons and tons and tons in there. People are waiting all across Canada for their seed packages and now the police have them seized in our van as well as some medicinal cannabis which was mine.”

Cindy Heemeryck, an associate of Dana Larsen's, says the group has been dropping packages of seed in mailboxes to people who have made online orders. (CBC)
Cindy Heemeryck, an associate of Dana Larsen’s, says the group has been dropping packages of seed in mailboxes to people who have made online orders. (CBC)

Police said in a release one person had been arrested at the event and that charges are pending.

“Under the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, it is illegal to distribute marijuana in any form regardless of whether payment is provided,” the release said.

Police say they will address the incident at a news conference Thursday.

With files from the CBC’s Mike Symington

Article source CBC News

Cannabis Culture News LIVE: Dana Larsen Vows To Give Away 2 Million Pot Seeds After Arrest

POT TV – Watch Cannabis Culture News LIVE for the latest news and views on pot politics and the marijuana community. In this episode: We interview marijuana activist Dana Larsen about his arrest by Calgary police for giving away pot seeds.

Jeremiah Vandermeer is editor of Cannabis Culture & Pot TV. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

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Post source Cannabis Culture

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B.C. pot activist Dana Larsen charged for giving away marijuana seeds in Calgary

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