PREMIER NO FAN OF POT MOTION

PREMIER Gary Doer says he is not a fan of the idea of decriminalizing
marijuana.

A resolution up for debate at the NDP's weekend convention called for
small amounts of the drug to be decriminalized. The issue is within
federal jurisdiction so the resolution specifically calls for the
provincial government to push for the decriminalization.

The former Liberal government had begun moving in that direction but
the idea was shelved when the Tories took office in January 2006.

And Doer said Saturday he doesn't think it should be revisited
because it would affect Canadians' ability to cross the U.S. border.

"I'm not in favour of decriminalizing marijuana because I think there
is a real issue of Canada-U.S. relations," said Doer. "We're trying
to deal with issues of the border and issues of passports and trying
to have an agreement with the United States and I don't think this
helps it at this point in time."

The premier said he's never tried marijuana.