OTTAWA (CP) - Canada's budding reputation as America's pot pusher is getting a shakedown from some new figures that tell a different tale.
Far from being the major exporter of marijuana to the United States as many might think, Canada accounts for only a small fraction of the American supply, a newly released report indicates. The RCMP's annual assessment of the drug situation in Canada, citing the latest seizure statistics, points out that most U.S. marijuana is homegrown or smuggled in from Mexico.

While the amount of pot detected moving south from Canada has increased steadily since 2000, to almost 15,700 kilograms last year, it was dwarfed by the 406,000 kilograms of Mexican marijuana seized at the U.S. border in 2003.

In addition, American authorities continue to report that their primary source of marijuana remains the U.S., the RCMP report says.

The numbers contrast sharply with images of potent B.C. Bud stashes slipping south by the truckload or, in some cases, being tossed across the border in duffel bags.

"It's quite clear that we are only a minor supplier of cannabis to the United States," said Eugene Oscapella of the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy, which advocates regulated legalization of marijuana.

Still, the RCMP considers the export of marijuana to the U.S., particularly from British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, to be a "thriving industry."

Proceeds from pot sales to the U.S. are being used to purchase cocaine for importation into Canada, the RCMP notes.

Canadian marijuana production remains a persistent headache for police, with seizures of an average of 1.1 million plants annually in the last five years.

"For some police forces, investigations into marijuana grow operations represent more than half their drug cases," the report says.

Interdictions on the highways, at bus, train and domestic airport terminals clearly indicate that B.C. is fast becoming a source of marijuana for the Prairie provinces and other eastbound destinations."

Despite the plentiful supply of domestic marijuana, nearly 755 kilograms of foreign pot were seized in or en route to Canada.

Seizures of the popular club drug Ecstasy jumped significantly to the equivalent of 5.8 million doses last year from 1.8 million in 2002.

A shift toward importation of large powder shipments from Western Europe for processing into tablet form in Canada accounted for the dramatic increase, the Mounties say.

The production, trafficking and use of methamphetamine, commonly known as speed, are "of increasing concern across the country," the report says. Surveys indicate growing use among high school students.

Thirty-seven clandestine methamphetamine labs were dismantled last year, up from 25 in 2002.

The RCMP also reported:

- A continuing increase in the number of illicit anabolic steroid shipments entering Canada, with most originating in or passing through the U.S.

- The importation of large quantities of cocaine into Canada mainly via sailing or fishing boats - a new tactic aimed at avoiding the increased scrutiny of marine containers due to heightened terrorism fears.

- War-ravaged Afghanistan remained the main source of opium last year, producing an estimated three-quarters of the world's supply.

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