1st off, pots were added to the drivers to lower the power, not increase it as to keep them legal at 5mW, especially for the DPSS greens with variant power conversions due to the efficiency of the crystals. It is a tuning mechanism but really won't change a cheap laser toy into a destructive laser, but you might get 10 extra mW if you're extremely lucky (on the greens).
And I've swapped a diode from a 5mW to a 100mW and used the same driver and guess what? 5mW. Because the driver is current limiting, which keeps it at 5mW. Low output driver = low output laser. Styropyro's video is (other then hilarious) is right on point and answers this topic in a million words. There should be a sticky: Possible to mod a cheap red laser? - then BAM - Styropyro's video (which was actually referred to on a serious note from that stupid reporter who made that stupid article right about when AU's ban came into effect ) ;D
I mean they didn't even watch the first 15 seconds of the video before they wrote that? :
Then they say that a green laser could have caused retina damage at like 500-1000ft, at that point the dot would be HUGE. ;D What they should have said was that while it probably wouldn't cause eye damage it is still a VERY STUPID and could distract the pilot AND COULD cause serious problems if they where trying to do something important like landing or trying to help somebody in distress. So even if the probability is low and your not really hitting the plane they may think your trying to hit them and arrest you. Hmm.. "laser terrorist" like these guys--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q5EXhJzdec&feature=related