POST OFFICE WON'T POLICE POT BY MAIL

CANADA POST is in the business of delivering mail, not inspecting its
contents, a spokesman said yesterday when asked about a Vancouver-based
Internet business that bills itself as "Canada's premium mail-order
marijuana delivery service." John Caines, who saw the "Bud Buddy" Web site
after a media tip, said while the instructions given are "a giveaway," it
is up to the police to determine whether it's illegal.

"It is not up to Canada Post to shut it down," said Caines, Canada Post's
Ottawa-based manager of national media relations.

CAN'T OPEN MAIL

Caines said it is against the Canada Post Act to open any mail under 500
grams unless there is reason to believe the mail contains something illegal
or "undeliverable" -- like tobacco, alcohol, corrosives or explosives.

Bud Buddy's Web site promises to "provide fast, discreet service and high
quality marijuana products -- always clean, well-cured, tasty and potent."

It only accepts orders from within Canada, and insists payment be made by
cash or money order. Orders are addressed to "Buddy Boy" and sent to a box
number in Coal Harbour, B.C.

"If sending a money order: Always leave the 'Pay To' area blank," the
instructions on the site reads.

The Web site, which says its products are sent out discreetly -- "I use
vacuum-sealing to eliminate smell" -- asks customers not to use a pseudonym
on return addresses.

"If you must use a pseudonym, don't use a jokey or pot-related one, like
"I.M. Stoned" or "John Ashcroft."