LIBERALS' POT BILL DENOUNCED

Even Caucus Opposes Plan

OTTAWA - The Chretien government introduced a drug policy yesterday that
was denounced as a bust because it is easier on young people than adults
who smoke marijuana and hash, decriminalizes driving with drugs in a
vehicle and commits to spending less than half the amount the Liberals had
promised to counter Canada's multibillion-dollar drug problem.

Martin Cauchon, the Justice Minister, hopes his controversial bill to
decriminalize less than 15 grams of marijuana -- which drew immediate
opposition from police, the political opposition and even members of the
Liberal caucus -- will become law by the end of the year.

Canadians younger than 18 who are caught with less than 15 grams of
marijuana would receive $100 fines and adults would be ticketed $150. Fines
would increase to $250 for youths and $400 for adults for possession while
driving, committing an offence or being caught in or near a school.

Police estimated 15 grams is the equivalent of 15 to 30 cigarettes,
depending on how they are rolled. Possession of one gram or less of hash
would warrant fines starting at $200.

"Let me be clear from the beginning, we are not legalizing marijuana and we
have no plans to do so," cautioned Mr. Cauchon, sensitive to complaints
domestically and in the United States that Canada is relaxing its drug laws.

His proposals also include an array of penalties to counter an escalation
in marijuana grow-houses run by organized crime, with the maximum sentence
being doubled to 14 years from the current seven.

At the same time, the federal government is inviting as many as 600,000
Canadians who have criminal records for possessing small amounts of
marijuana to apply for federal pardons.

If the Liberal bill becomes law, the government has no plans to grant a
general amnesty, as recommended last year by a Senate committee that said
Canada should legalize pot possession. Rather, people convicted of pot
possession can send $50 and an application to the National Parole Board for
their names to be cleared.

"It doesn't erase the fact that you've been convicted of a criminal
offence, but it seals the record," explained board spokesman John
Vandoremalen. "It basically gives you privileges; it allows you to apply
for jobs and things like that where the hurdles normally appear."

The legislation was accompanied by the renewal of a lapsed national drug
strategy, which will focus on an advertising campaign to convince Canadians
drugs are dangerous; put money into community prevention and treatment
programs; and give the RCMP an extra $57-million to counter the tens of
thousands of grow-operations that have sprouted in neighbourhoods across
the country.

"Let me be clear, we do not want Canadians to use marijuana; we especially
do not want young Canadians to use marijuana," Health Minister Anne
McLellan said. "We are going to be sending a lot of powerful messages
around the harmful effects of drug use."

The strategy, however, pledges to spend $245-million in the next five
years, less than half the $440-million over four years that the Liberal
government promised in its 2000 election platform. The new funding, the
bulk of which will be spent in the final years of the strategy, amounts to
about a 10% increase to the $500-million annually the federal government
now spends to fight illegal drug use.

Dave Griffin, executive director of the Canadian Police Association,
described the federal initiative as "a hastily put together package hung
together by Band-Aids and duct tape."

One of the association's numerous concerns is there are no minimum
penalties for marijuana grow operations, even though judges routinely hand
down jail sentences of about six months to one year for the most serious
offenders.

Police want to retain discretion to lay criminal charges instead of handing
out fines, particularly for repeat offenders and people caught driving
while impaired.

Mr. Cauchon predicted police would be more apt to enforce the law against
marijuana possession if the consequences are less harsh.

"Most people just get off with a warning," Mr. Cauchon said. "Is that what
we want as a society? No. It leads to disrespect for the law."

For Canadians caught with 15 to 30 grams of marijuana, police will retain
discretion whether to charge fines or lay criminal charges.

The Liberals were accused yesterday of further alienating the United
States, which has been vocal about its opposition to marijuana
decriminalization.

Solicitor-General Wayne Easter said the Liberals have heard the complaints
loud and clear.

"At the end of the day, the government has to make a judgment call," Mr.
Easter said. "Certainly there will be some reaction. But they understand
that we have the sovereign right to make our own laws."