PM IS COOL TO EASING OF POT LAWS

Even As Two Parliamentary Committees Undertake Sweeping Studies Of Canada's
Drug Laws, Prime Minister Jean Chretien Says Decriminalization Of Pot Is
Not On His Government's Agenda

"The health minister has proposed permitting marijuana use for medicinal
ends," Chretien told reporters yesterday. "That's the government's policy."

"Should we go into decriminalization and so on? It's not part of the agenda
at this time."

Chretien's view appeared at odds with a statement by Justice Minister Anne
McLellan, who said two weeks ago she is "quite open" to discussing
liberalizing of marijuana laws.

Last week, the House of Commons agreed to strike an all-party committee to
take a comprehensive look at Canada's drug strategy. Its members will be
named soon and it is expected to report no later than November, 2002.

Alliance MP Keith Martin, a medical doctor, yesterday introduced a private
member's bill - which has virtually no chance of becoming law - that would
remove criminal penalties for marijuana possession and replace them with
fines of up to $1,000.

Canadian Alliance justice critic Vic Toews said although Chretien's
statement is a disappointment, the Prime Minister will have to take account
of the work done in committee because "there is a larger social problem in
our country that needs to be addressed."

Chretien noted the debate over liberalizing marijuana laws has been going
on for 30 years, "but at this moment we made a move on the question of
using marijuana for health."

Meanwhile, an influential group representing Canada's 30,000 front-line
police officers came out yesterday in opposition to any liberalization of
marijuana laws.

The Canadian Police Association told a special Senate committee on illegal
drugs that decriminalization would send the wrong message to young people,
lead to increased use of harder drugs and boost organized and violent crime
rates.

"Perceived tolerance of drug consumption by community leaders including
members of Parliament, senators, editorial writers and even some chiefs of
police have all contributed to the elevation of thresholds for drug
investigation, arrest, prosecution, conviction and sentencing," said Glen
Hayden, an Edmonton detective and association vice-president.

Decriminalization is generally understood to involve softening drug laws to
make possession of small amounts of pot a ticketing offence that would not
incur a criminal record.