MARIJUANA POSSESSION TO BE LEGALIZED

Brussels, Belgium - The Belgian government has agreed to decriminalize the
use of marijuana, following its neighbor, the Netherlands, in granting
legal tolerance to use of the drug.

The Belgian legislation, expected to be approved by the parliament early
this year, will legalize possession of small amounts of cannabis for
personal consumption.

It will not allow sale of the drug, unlike in the Netherlands, where
"coffee shops" selling marijuana cigarettes are a common sight in many cities.

"We are establishing the basis for tolerance in the law, but our country
will remain within the lines of international law," the government said in
a statement Friday.

The legislation, which modifies a 1921 law outlawing the drug, will still
prohibit use of marijuana judged to be "problematic" to the user or a
nuisance to others. The law also allows the cultivation of marijuana plants
for personal use.

The decision by the governing coalition of socialists, liberals and greens
was criticized by the conservative opposition.