FEDS' POT: $15,000 PER OUNCE

An Access to Information request by Canadians for Safe Access, a
medical marijuana lobby group, came up with some interesting facts
about the government's medical marijuana program.

According to Health Canada statistics, as of March 31, the Office of
Cannabis Medical Access had sent out 295 oz. of cannabis to the 93
legal users who ordered the product (29 have returned it due to poor
quality). Prairie Plant Systems Inc. of Saskatoon--which grows the
marijuana at its facility in Flin Flon, Man.--has a five-year,
$5.7-million contract that ends early next year.

Estimating that $4.5 million has been spent so far, that means
Canadian taxpayers have been paying roughly $15,000 per ounce.