Long-time proponent fears harsh 'Harperesque' restrictions on cannabis.

High-profile pot activist Jodie Emery wants a seat on the federal task force on legalizing marijuana.

She worries the panel will be stacked with "prohibitionists" who will push for overly restrictive regulations that would limit access to legal cannabis. 

​Emery has written to Bill Blair, the parliamentary secretary to Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, outlining her credentials for the job, including years of research, advocacy and political campaigning.

She has campaigned for legalization in the U.S. and Canada, and has operated marijuana-related businesses in media, retail and service industries. She's also been a media commentator and spoken at international conferences.

"The government's language is all very Harperesque," Emery told CBC News. "It's all about strict control, heavily regulate, additional punishment for those who operate outside the system, heavy enforcement. All this language is worrisome because it suggests we'll just have a new form of prohibition."

Pot bill in spring...