MINE KEEPS ITS SECRETS

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

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

"This has really been a cloak-and-dagger thing," Ballard said yesterday,
adding it has been at least six months since he last spoke with Health
Canada officials. "Since this started it has been top secret.

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

Health Canada awarded a five-year, $5.7 million contract to Prairie Plant
Systems in 2000 to grow 400 kilograms of marijuana annually in an former
mine in Flin Flon. Officials with Saskatoon-based Prairie Plant Systems
yesterday referred all inquiries to Health Canada, which couldn't be
reached for comment.

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.