Canada troops battle 10-ft Afghan marijuana plants

[marct]

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian troops fighting Taliban militants in
Afghanistan have stumbled across an unexpected and potent enemy -- almost impenetrable forests of 10-feet (three metre) high marijuana plants.

....

Source: Yahoo News

Well, I really have to wonder what type of training would be appropriate for this situation .

Marc

[Steve Blair]

Don't inhale?

[Jedburgh]

...The challenge is that marijuana plants absorb energy, heat very readily. It's very difficult to penetrate with thermal devices...

It does present a unique challenge. I would like to know the true extent of these "forests".

But some parts of the article just cry out for pictures:

...the crew of at least one armored car had camouflaged their vehicle with marijuana.

[marct]

But some parts of the article just cry out for pictures:

Oh, too true! It's too bad that Hillier just put in a new policy that doesn't allow any forces member to post pictures online <sigh.....>.

Of course, later on in the dry season, there are some interesting tactical possibilities.....

Marc

[Steve Blair]

Oh, too true! It's too bad that Hillier just put in a new policy that doesn't allow any forces member to post pictures online <sigh.....>.

Of course, later on in the dry season, there are some interesting tactical possibilities.....

Marc

Possibilities and problems....I can just hear the orders now to don gas masks while advancing through burning fields....

[marct]

Possibilities and problems....I can just hear the orders now to don gas masks while advancing through burning fields....

Yeah. On a slightly more serious note, I really wonder a) how they got there and b) what strain they are. One of my friends is an Afghan MD and she has told me that a lot of the medicines used are herbal/biologicals. Since pot is an excellent analgesic, I wouldn't be surprised at all if this "forest" is someones "factory". If it is a local, i.e. non-Taliban, "factory", then the best thing that could be done is to leave it alone. After all, the PR impact could be terrible - a "Canadian troops destroy traditional medicine" rumour campaigns would not help us there at all.

Marc