Marijuana Concerns Fantino

Ontario's top cop says marijuana cultivation isreaching epidemic proportions in the province and across Canada.

OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino noted that Canada has beennamed as a "source country" for marijuana by the United States -- something he says is a black eye for the country.

Marijuana is exported south and traded for crystal meth and crackcocaine, which are then brought back into Canada.

He says the two are interconnected so shutting down exports ofmarijuana should drive down imports of crystal meth and crack.

Fantino says the OPP destroyed marijuana plants at 220 growoperations, charging 56 people during its annual MarijuanaEradication Program.

A number of marijuana grow ops were also discovered recently by police in the Rainy River district.