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Pubdate: Tue, 20 Jul 2004 Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB) Copyright: 2004 The Canadian Press Contact: http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134 Author: Canadian Press Cited: The RCMP report http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/crimint/drugs_2003_e.htm Cited: Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy http://www.cfdp.ca/ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Eugene+Oscapella Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular) MEXICO TOP POT SUPPLIER TO U.S. -- RCMP OTTAWA - Canada's budding reputation as America's pot pusher is getting a shakedown from new figures that tell a different tale. Far from being the major exporter of marijuana to the United States as many might think, Canada accounts for only a small fraction of the American supply, a newly released report indicates. The RCMP's annual assessment of the drug situation in Canada, citing the latest seizure statistics, points out that most U.S. marijuana is homegrown or smuggled in from Mexico. While the amount of pot detected moving south from Canada has increased steadily since 2000, to almost 15,700 kilograms last year, it was dwarfed by the 406,000 kilograms of Mexican marijuana seized at the U.S. border in 2003. In addition, American authorities continue to report that their primary source of marijuana remains the U.S., the RCMP report says. The numbers contrast sharply with images of potent B.C. Bud stashes sent south by the truckload or being tossed across the border in duffel bags. "It's quite clear that we are only a minor supplier of cannabis to the United States," said Eugene Oscapella of the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy, which advocates regulated legalization of marijuana. Still, the RCMP considers the export of marijuana to the U.S. to be a "thriving industry." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake