Pubdate: Mon, 20 Sep 2004
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/TorontoSun/home.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Canadian Press

POST OFFICE WON'T POLICE POT BY MAIL

CANADA POST is in the business of delivering mail, not inspecting its 
contents, a spokesman said yesterday when asked about a Vancouver-based 
Internet business that bills itself as "Canada's premium mail-order 
marijuana delivery service." John Caines, who saw the "Bud Buddy" Web site 
after a media tip, said while the instructions given are "a giveaway," it 
is up to the police to determine whether it's illegal.

"It is not up to Canada Post to shut it down," said Caines, Canada Post's 
Ottawa-based manager of national media relations.

CAN'T OPEN MAIL

Caines said it is against the Canada Post Act to open any mail under 500 
grams unless there is reason to believe the mail contains something illegal 
or "undeliverable" -- like tobacco, alcohol, corrosives or explosives.

Bud Buddy's Web site promises to "provide fast, discreet service and high 
quality marijuana products -- always clean, well-cured, tasty and potent."

It only accepts orders from within Canada, and insists payment be made by 
cash or money order. Orders are addressed to "Buddy Boy" and sent to a box 
number in Coal Harbour, B.C.

"If sending a money order: Always leave the 'Pay To' area blank," the 
instructions on the site reads.

The Web site, which says its products are sent out discreetly -- "I use 
vacuum-sealing to eliminate smell" -- asks customers not to use a pseudonym 
on return addresses.

"If you must use a pseudonym, don't use a jokey or pot-related one, like 
"I.M. Stoned" or "John Ashcroft."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart