Editorials

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Bureaucratic bud

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 07/23/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

IF there is one thing that Canadians do well, it is the growing and selling of marijuana. In hydroponic houses all across the country, people are producing world-class weed that is much in demand, not just in the domestic market, but in the United States as well.

Unfortunately, and against all common sense, the business is illegal, but where governments can't cope, criminals can. And it seems clear now that the Canadian government can't cope. Its pilot program for the growth and sale of marijuana for medical purposes is in a shambles. Not only is the pot it produces inferior in quality to the stuff being grown in your neighbour's basement, even the private companies involved in the business can't make it work. Hudbay Minerals has just locked out pot-producing Prairie Plant Systems from the Flin Flon mine shaft where it grew the nation's supply of medicinal marijuana. Somehow, somewhere, the growing demand for medicinal marijuana will be met, we are told -- we're from the government and we're here to help you. This is yet another convincing argument for legalizing -- and privatizing -- the drug.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 23, 2009 A8

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