POT GROWER GETS HOUSE ARREST

NORTH BAY, Ont. -- A man was fined and sentenced to six months of house
arrest after firefighters discovered a pot-growing operation during a call
last year.

Michael Smith, 39, admitted in court to producing and possessing the
plants, claiming the marijuana in the rented home was for his personal use.

Extreme heat from a hydroponic marijuana-growing operation mixing with
temperatures of -26 degrees created a vapour that led the North Bay Fire
Department to discover 243 pot plants in the home, federal Crown prosecutor
Alain Perron told the Ontario Court of Justice on Tuesday.

"If you like milk with your corn flakes doesn't mean you need a herd of
cattle," said Judge Greg Rodgers.

He had trouble believing the operation was to feed Mr. Smith's own habit.