High Hopes!

A two-metre (six-foot) marijuana plant decorated as a Christmas tree was confiscated from the home of "an old hippie", who is now facing a drug possession charge, Vancouver police said yesterday!

In a tongue-in-cheek press release titled "All you need is love or how a hippie celebrates Christmas," police said they discovered the giant plant in the living room of the suspect. "The two-metre-tall marijuana plant had been put in a Christmas tree stand and decorated with a string of lights," the police said.

When asked, the hashish fan told the perplexed officers that he had intended to add more decorations to the 'tree' and place the presents under it, according to tradition.

Police seized the plant and another 150 grams (5.3 ounces) of marijuana found in the apartment.

Meanwhile, authorities on Tuesday said that a 21-year-old man in White Rock had been detained with a homemade Advent calendar with a joint behind each little door, instead of chocolate.

The suspect was released but now faces charges of possessing drugs