MARTIN REJECTS U.S. POT BILL WARNING

'Canada Will Make Its Own Laws, Pure And Simple,' PM Asserts

Prime Minister Paul Martin is brushing aside warnings from U.S.
ambassador Paul Cellucci that a border crackdown will result if Canada
decriminalizes marijuana, saying simply 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," Martin said.

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 is estimated that $1.2 billion in goods and services travel across
the border each day, making it the world's most lucrative bilateral
trading relationship.

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,?" said 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."

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

The bill also proposes tougher sentences for those who produce the
drug.

Companion legislation is also aimed at curbing so-called "drug
drivers."

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

On Tuesday, ambassador Cellucci told the National Post's editorial
board 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?," he asked.

"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."

A spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan, the
government's lead minister for border matters, said U.S. officials
have told the federal government they remain committed to easing
border congestion.

Officials also pointed out that marijuana seizures represent just a
small portion of the contraband intercepted at the Canada-U.S. border.