Canada's 'Prince of Pot,' Marc Emery, released after arrest in Montreal marijuana shop raids

The man known as Canada's "Prince of Pot" says he's "feeling good" after spending a night in a Montreal jail.

Marc Emery, who operates an illegal chain of marijuanashops under the name of "Cannabis Culture," was arrested along with nine others on Friday evening during a series ofraids by Montreal police.

Police were targeting six new Cannabis Culture locations thathad just opened the day before.

Emery, who was working at the store on Mont-Royal Avenue, is now charged withdrug trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking and conspiracy.

Emery was released after posting a $5,000 bond and is prohibited from consuming cannabis, entering places that produce or sell cannabis, or communicating with anyonelinked to Cannabis Culture operations in Montreal.

• Police raid Cannabis Culture shops in Montreal a day after they opened

Speaking to reporters after his release on Saturday, Emery saidhe is not allowed to stay in Quebec and can only return ifit is for a court date.

It's unclear if the stores will reopen, he added, because he cannot be in the province and authorities are pressuring the landlords to keep the locationsclosed.

On Saturday, Montreal police officers were seen checking the properties to ensure thatthey were not in operation.

Emery said he was looking forward to fighting the charges in court. He also took a moment to denounce the actions of Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre.

"The mayor's behaviour is despicable," he said.

"If the mayor of Montreal wants to keep his city backward, behind and full of oppression, than that is the statement he just made to the world."

Watch: MarcEmery arrested in Montreal

Cannabis Culture operates shops in 12 locations across British Columbia and Ontario. On Thursdaysix new locations opened up in Montreal and four more were slated to open up by the end of December.

In an earlier interview, Emery's wife, Jodie, said the locations in Montreal will be operated by a franchisee.

Jodie Emery was also arrested on Friday, but released later that day.

Police spokesmanDaniel Lacoursire said of the 10 people arrested, there were six men and four women whose ages ranged from 18 to 58 years old.

Money, equipment and more then 18 kilograms of marijuanawere seized during the raids.

The others arrested with Emery were released on a promise to appear.

The situation is nothing new for Marc Emery whohas been arrested numerous times over the years for his refusal to abide by laws concerning cannabis in Canada and the U.S.

'We have to respect the current law'

The Canadian government is expected to table legislation legalizing cannabisin the spring, butcurrent federal laws still prohibitthe sale of recreational marijuana.

Mayor Denis Coderre told CBC Saturday that instead of putting energy into this stunt, the Emerysshould be concentrating on how they'll operate legally in the future.

"We know that legalization will happen. So let's all put our energy in the process itself. And during that time, we have a law to respect. Period."

"Justin Trudeau, Philippe Couillard, everybody, we're at the same page," said Coderre. "We have to respect the current law.Period. And police are there to apply the law."

• Montreal mayor vows 'zero tolerance' as illegal marijuana shops open