OTTAWA MUM ON DRUG MINE

The status of a government-approved marijuana crop in Flin Flon, Man., is a
closely guarded secret, says the city's mayor.

Mayor Dennis Ballard said yesterday that Health Canada is reluctant to
share any information on the underground pot mine, which is approved by the
government for medicinal use.

"I don't know much of anything about the mine other than what I've read in
the paper," he said yesterday.

Health Canada awarded a five-year, $5.7-million contract to Prairie Plant
Systems in 2000 to grow 400 kilos of marijuana annually in an underground
mine in Flin Flon.

In November, a Health Canada official said a second crop was being tested
with the hope it would lead to clinical trials. A small amount of the first
crop, grown last year, had to be destroyed because it contained spores and
fungus.