Russia denies entry to several Canadian pro-cannabis activists

Russia has banned a handful of Canadian cannabis activists from entering its territory, as well as a long list of current and former politicians, judges, military chiefs, bankers, business leaders, journalists...

«Turns out I've been banned from entering Russia, along with 657 other Canadians,» Dana Larsen wrote on Twitter. «Strange to be on a list that includes Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper and John Horgan».

Turns out I've been banned from entering Russia, along with 657 other Canadians.
The text reads "writer and one of the founders of the 'Marijuana Party'."
Strange to be on a list that includes Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper and John Horgan.https://t.co/qpSD8ie5EA pic.twitter.com/jGUw5rvots

- Dana Larsen (@DanaLarsen) June 24, 2022

«Turns out I'm one of the Canadian citizens who's been banned from Russia...?!» tweeted Jodie Emery. «It's pretty crazy to see!»

https://twitter.com/JodieEmery/status/1520193875893125120

As the StratCann, In March, Russia had already sanctioned hundreds of MPs and other Canadians, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Defense Minister Anita Anand, in retaliation for its support for Ukraine.

A few weeks later, the list grew to include hundreds of other Canadians, including the four Canadian pro-cannabis activists.

Jodie and Marc Emery are known for their activism around the Cannabis Culture brand. The couple also briefly run a handful of dispensaries in the run-up to legalization. Marc spent several years in an American prison for «selling seeds».

Dana Larsen has operated a cannabis dispensary in downtown Vancouver for over a decade and is a key player in the cannabis legalization scene in the city and the country. He also currently runs a psilocybin dispensary.

Blair Longley has taken over Marijuana Party of Canada in 2004.

Donald McPherson is Executive Director of the NGO Canadian Coalition on Drug Policy. Since 2020, he has also been President of the‘International Drug Policy Consortium, based in Amsterdam.