GET OFF THE POT

Once we all stop chuckling over the huge marijuana bust at an old Molson
Brewery in Barrie, Ont., some serious questions need to be asked.

After all, this wasn't a few potheads growing marijuana in their basement.
This was the discovery of Canada's largest marijuana grow operation -- so
far -- a sophisticated, multi-million-dollar indoor farm producing a crop
worth more than $100 million a year that would likely turn Flin Flon's
government-sponsored operation green with envy.

Millions of dollars went into setting up the facility for 30,000 pot
plants, many growing in the old Molson beer vats and being fed a special
mixture of chemicals to increase their potency.

There were accommodations inside the plant for up to 50 workers and 24-hour
security.

But that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Canada's lax enforcement of its marijuana laws has resulted in the problem
of illegal grow operations reaching epidemic proportions.

"While Colombia is the top country for cocaine production, Canada is now
the No. 1 country for marijuana production," said Ontario Provincial Police
Supt. Bill Crate. "There is active trade in organized crime between the two
drugs. While one moves north, the other moves south. And it doesn't stop at
drugs -- where there is organized crime there is always violence and weapons."

Is this what we want Canada to be famous for?

That's the real problem -- criminals know that even if busted they're
unlikely to do any hard time and the profits are enormous. Pot seizures by
U.S. Customs heading south from Canada were up almost 800% between 2001 and
2002 -- an indication illegal grow-ops are booming.

Photos released by police of the huge Ontario operation reminded us of the
Prohibition era, when organized crime was heavily involved in the
distribution of illegal booze.

The federal Liberal government needs to stop dancing around this issue now.
The half step it has proposed -- decriminalization for small amounts of
marijuana -- will only make things worse.

On the one hand, it doesn't address the big-time criminal activity involved
in illegally growing marijuana. On the other, it makes it easier for
criminals to set up shop, given our lax attitude toward prosecutions.

Our choice would be to toughen and enforce our marijuana laws to match
those of our U.S. neighbour. The only other realistic option is full
legalization, which would at least get the government involved in
regulating the product.

Ottawa needs to get off the pot and make a decision -- one way or the other.