CANADA GONE TO POT: U.S. REPORT

WASHINGTON -- An annual White House report on countries with drug problems
says Canada's relatively lax penalties for marijuana producers and moves
toward decriminalizing pot could be an "invitation" to organized crime that
hinders police and prosecutors. Canada isn't on the president's list of 22
major illicit drug-producing and transit countries, which includes Mexico
and other South American countries. But the report cited Canada's "lack of
significant judicial sanctions against marijuana producers" and pot reform
legislation as troublesome.

"We are now working intensively with Canadian authorities to address the
increase in the smuggling of Canadian-produced marijuana into the United
States," said the release.

The report noted the Canada, in turn, has expressed concern about the flow
of cocaine and other illegal substances from the U.S.

"The two governments will continue to work closely in the year ahead to
confront these shared threats," said the report.