NEW POT LAW TO BE DELAYED

OTTAWA - The federal government has delayed its plans to introduce
legislation that would decriminalize possession of small quantities of
marijuana.

"I have made it very plain that until we are able to effectively deal with
illegally (grown marijuana) in this country, we have a major, major
problem," Health Minister Anne McLellan said Wednesday. The new approach to
marijuana is supposed to increase penalties for growers and traffickers.

McLellan - who sounded more like she was back in her old Justice portfolio
- - said she sympathized with police who claim they don't have the resources
to target growing operations.

The same point was made to Justice Minister Martin Cauchon by U.S.
authorities Tuesday after he flew down to brief them on the generalities of
the coming legislation.

Cauchon told reporters after question period that delaying the legislation
has nothing to do with U.S. concerns, adding he thinks the policy change is
a good one.

Cauchon wants to make possession of less than 15 grams of marijuana a
non-criminal offence punishable by a $100 fine.

There is also supposed to be a new anti-drug strategy coming out of Health
Canada. Reports suggest it will cost $200 million over five years.

Details on how that money will be spent haven't been released, but it's
thought some will go to policing and border security, and some to health
programs.

McLellan claimed that in U.S. states that have decriminalized marijuana
possession there's been a spike in usage of the drug.

"And certainly one has to be ready to deal with that spike," she said.

"It can lead to addiction and all sorts of situations in local communities.
We have to be ready with information, with education and with treatment."

Government officials say the new legislation, which was expected this week,
will now be introduced some time before Parliament's summer break.