Pubdate: Thu, 27 Jan 2005
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2005 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.winnipegsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Eugene Oscapella
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

POT CLAIMS UTTER NONSENSE

In Canada tops sales to U.S. in pot, speed (Canadian Press, Jan. 26), you 
cite a "top customs official" as saying that Canada is now the largest 
single supplier of pot to the United States. This is utter nonsense.

U.S. government officials, and now apparently Canadian government 
officials, have often made claims that Canada is a major supplier of 
cannabis to the U.S. However, the available evidence, including reports 
from the auditor general of Canada, the RCMP, the U.S. and the United 
Nations, shows just the opposite -- that Canada is in fact only a minor 
supplier of cannabis to the U.S.

The most recent report, produced jointly by Canadian and U.S. government 
agencies, concluded that Canadian-produced marijuana accounts for only 
approximately 2% of overall U.S. marijuana seizures at its borders.

Eugene Oscapella

Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy

Ottawa

(More at www.cfdp.ca/export.htm) 
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MAP posted-by: Beth