BUREAUCRATIC BUD

IF there is one thing that Canadians do well, it is the growing and
selling of marijuana. In hydroponic houses all across the country,
people are producing world-class weed that is much in demand, not just
in the domestic market, but in the United States as well.

Unfortunately, and against all common sense, the business is illegal,
but where governments can't cope, criminals can. And it seems clear
now that the Canadian government can't cope. Its pilot program for the
growth and sale of marijuana for medical purposes is in a shambles.
Not only is the pot it produces inferior in quality to the stuff being
grown in your neighbour's basement, even the private companies
involved in the business can't make it work. Hudbay Minerals has just
locked out pot-producing Prairie Plant Systems from the Flin Flon mine
shaft where it grew the nation's supply of medicinal marijuana.
Somehow, somewhere, the growing demand for medicinal marijuana will be
met, we are told -- we're from the government and we're here to help
you. This is yet another convincing argument for legalizing -- and
privatizing -- the drug.