Larsen vows to fight charges

A Vancouver marijuana activist says he has no intention of pleading guilty after being charged with distributing pot seeds in Calgary.

Dana Larsen made a brief court appearance Wednesday and had his case adjourned until June 10.

"Well, I'm not going to plead guilty and I'm going to fight these charges every step of the way up until the Supreme Court of Canada if it will hear the case and we go that far," Larsen said outside of the courthouse where he was surrounded by about two dozen placard-carrying supporters.

"I feel that if they really do persist, the possible outcome is that we win and that cannabis seeds are declared no longer illegal at all."

In April, Larsen was in Calgary with his Overgrow Canada campaign in which he aims to distribute one million pot seeds to be planted in public places.

After the rally, officers escorted Larsen and another man to a police car. Supporters chanted, "Shame! Shame!"

Police said a search of the van resulted in the seizure of 119 grams of marijuana, nearly 1,100 grams of marijuana seeds and a small amount of cannabis resin and oil.

Larsen, who is 44, is charged with trafficking marijuana and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

"The last person in Canada who was convicted of selling marijuana seeds to other Canadians was 15 years ago and they got a $500 fine," said Larsen.

"We're in a much different situation in Canada than we were 15 years ago and I really don't understand why they're proceeding with this or what they hope to gain from it."

He said he visited 14 cities on his campaign and Calgary was the only place where police showed up.

"I think they'll drop the charges eventually. If they persist long enough, cannabis will be legal in Canada and at that point I think these charges especially will be seen as ludicrous."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned on a promise to legalize marijuana but has recently said that may be more difficult to do than expected. He wants to consult with the provinces before taking any action.

Larsen served 10 years as editor of Cannabis Culture Magazine and was a founding member of the B.C. Marijuana Party and the Canadian Marijuana Party. He led an unsuccessful bid for a marijuana referendum in British Columbia and has run a medicinal cannabis dispensary for seven years.

In 2011, he ran for the leadership of the provincial NDP in B.C.