Cannabis Culture owner Marc Emery is facing charges of drug trafficking, possession for trafficking and conspiracy after being arrested on Friday.

Appearing in court on Saturday, Emery was released on $5,000 bail. He is not allowed to smoke or sell pot as conditions for his release.

His wife and co-owner, Jodie Emery, denounced the arrest in an interview with CTV Montreal.

"It was a very heavy-handed response and we're very sorry to see so much tax money being wasted, hurting harmless people," she said.

Emery, the self-proclaimed Prince of Pot, was arrested at the Cannabis Club located at 2200 Mont-Royal Ave. E when the raids went down after 5 p.m. It was his 29th arrest and came just a day after the opening of the recreational marijuana store and five others in the city.

"It's despicable and an injustice but we will win. The prime minister is a disgrace," said Emery as he was loaded into a police car, flashing the peace sign.



As he was taken away, smiling and waving, people on the street cheered, saying, "Free Marc Emery!"



I was arrested at our hotel in Montreal last night, released hours later with no charges. Under investigation. My first time in handcuffs! — Jodie Emery (@JodieEmery) December 17, 2016

Nine others were also arrested; police say they were not customers. In the moments prior to that raid, Emery had instructed customers to leave immediately.



They also seized 18 kilograms (40 lbs.) of marijuana and paraphernalia for drug trafficking.



Police say the ten people arrested are being questioned Friday evening and could face charges of distributing an illegal substance.



The raids came as many braved the cold, some waiting hours in line, for a chance to buy some pot.



“I'm glad to be here. It's a historical moment,” said one customer.



Cannabis Culture, part of the franchise owned by noted pot activists Marc and Jodie Emery, opened Thursday morning, and began selling weed in the afternoon. Lineups lasted clear until closing time and continued Friday.



“The employees are so pleased. The response from the customer is much love, gratitude. People are saying they've been waiting forever for this. It feels safe and open. It's just the way that legalization should be,” said Jodie Emery.

Not everyone in the pro-marijuana movement was pleased by Emery's actions. Sante Cannabis founder Adam Greenblatt said while he recognized Emery's contributions to the cause, he believes the raids will set back the push for legalization.

"Montreal does not have a history of tolerance towards cannabis franchises," said Greenblatt. "He's risking a political backlash for the cannabis industry going forward that could be quite detrimental. He could undermine the potential for small businesses and licensed but private cannabis retailers going forward by doing this very brazen political and publicity stunt."

There are a dozen other locations in the franchise in B.C. and Ontario, and all of them were raided by police soon after opening -- then temporarily closed, and once again re-opened following legal proceedings.

That prompted Jodie Emery to plead with police in Montreal not to raid their stores.

On Thursday Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said he had "zero tolerance" for the stores selling illegal drugs, and that he had the support of many councillors and borough mayors, including Luc Ferrandez of Projet Montreal.



Some Plateau residents expressed that they were unhappy with the store’s opening.



“If I went out there with a sign that said 'selling joints for $5’ would I be arrested? Pretty sure I'd be arrested. What is the difference?” said one person who preferred to remain anonymous.



Two locations slated to open, including one on Queen Mary Rd. didn’t get the chance due to permit problems.



“And while there's no such thing as a municipal marijuana permit, no matter what you do you need a municipal permit to renovate and change a structure,” said city councillor Marvin Rotrand.



Others who work near the stores said they felt they were a boost for business.



“When you see people standing in line with -25 degrees, I think it's a good thing for St. Laurent,” said Arthur Degand, who works near that location. “It's going to bring business and people here I guess.”



Plateau resident Simon Degand said it’s a step toward legalization.



“I didn't come to buy drugs. I came to see everybody standing in line talking about this change,” he said.

Current laws stand

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking in Montreal, said that acting as if marijuana was legal was premature.

"Until we've changed the law, the current laws exist and apply," said Trudeau.



Following the raids, Coderre tweeted that it was "more useful to put your energies on the legislative process for marijuana legalization than an unnecessary stunt. Respect the law."

The federal government has promised to legalize marijuana and this week a task force provided its recommendations on how to do so.

"We will get this done properly and responsibly because that is what Canadians expect us to do," said Trudeau.

The federal government is expected to table legislation in the spring to allow marijuana to be sold to adults.



With files from The Canadian Press