MARTIN SPURNS WARNING ABOUT POT LEGISLATION

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Paul Martin is brushing aside warnings from United
States Ambassador Paul Cellucci that a border crackdown will result if
Canada decriminalizes marijuana, saying that Canada reserves the right to
pass laws as it sees fit.

Asked what he made of Cellucci's prediction that relaxed marijuana laws in
Canada will worsen the perennial congestion at border crossings with the
U.S., Martin was unequivocal.

"Firstly, the legislation is before the House of Commons, then the
parliamentary committee will have its discussions on all the various points,
and we'll wait to see the legislation that comes from that. But Canada will
make its own laws, pure and simple."

Business groups have raised the alarm over the possible tie-ups resulting
from more liberal marijuana laws in Canada, saying that even the current
border morass costs Canadian businesses billions of dollars annually. It's
estimated that $1.2 billion in goods and services travel across the border
each day, making it the world's most lucrative bi-lateral trading
relationship.

Police across Canada have major concerns, says the head of the Canadian
Professional Police Association.

"It's putting the cart before the horse," said president Tony Cannavino,
representing 54,000 officers and members.

"The government should have started first of all with a national drug
strategy instead of going forward with a bill decriminalizing marijuana," he
said. "It's sending the wrong message to kids."

Police have big problems with a bill that would fine adults $150 and minors
$100 for possessing up to 15 grams, Cannavino added. "That represents
between 30 and 50 joints of marijuana."

And the opposition Conservatives, who insist the draft legislation is deeply
flawed, renewed calls to shelve the pot bill until trade disputes with the
Bush administration over beef and softwood lumber exports are ironed out.

"Why are we bringing it forward at a time when we have so many trade
disputes with the United States?" asked Tory justice critic Vic Toews. "I
want assurances from the Americans that they're comfortable with (Canada's
position). We have not got that. They're telling us it's going to impact on
our trade, and if it's going to impact on our trade, let's bury this bill."

A similar proposal to ease marijuana laws died on the order paper when
Parliament wrapped up prior to last summer's federal election.

Cellucci told the National Post's editorial board on Tuesday he was
perplexed by the timing of the new pot bill.

"Why, when we're trying to take pressure off the border, would Canada pass a
law that would put pressure on the border? If people think it's easier to
get marijuana in Canada, then our people at the border are going to be on
the lookout, and I think they will stop more vehicles, particularly vehicles
driven by young people, whether they're citizens of Canada or the United
States."

Martin, meanwhile, emerged from a two-hour meeting with Newfoundland Premier
Danny Williams and Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm without a deal on offshore
oil revenues, but with each leader expressing cautious optimism that
negotiations are back on track.

The first ministers have now handed over the task of ironing out the details
of an offshore oil and gas revenue agreement to their finance ministers, who
they say will get to work starting Friday and continue until all sides are
happy with the final product.