POT WARNING IGNORED: PM REJECTS AMERICAN'S THREAT
OF TIE-UPS

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

Asked for response to Cellucci's comments in a newspaper interview, Martin
said: "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."

It's estimated that $1.2 billion in goods and services travel across the
border each day.

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? ... I want assurances from the Americans
that they're comfortable with (Canada's position)," said Tory justice
critic Vic Toews.

"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."

The draft legislation calls for fines of $150 for adults -- and $100 for
minors -- who are caught in possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana.

The bill also proposes tougher sentences for those who produce the drug as
part of a wider effort to stamp out so-called "grow-ops." Companion
legislation is also aimed at curbing so-called "drug-drivers."

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