LIBERALS FEUD AS MARIJUANA BILL DELAYED

U.S. Warns Canada's Drug Problem 'Out Of Control' On Eve Of New Law

The federal government's marijuana bill was suddenly postponed yesterday,
amid Liberal infighting, renewed complaints from the U.S. drug czar who
called potent "B.C. bud" the "crack" of marijuana, and a warning from
Health Minister Anne McLellan that decriminalization will cause a spike in
drug use.

The bill was expected to be tabled today, but Justice Minister Martin
Cauchon said it will not be introduced until at least the last week of May,
when Parliament returns from a recess.

Government officials were still haggling yesterday over funding for the new
national drug strategy, a prevention, education and treatment package that
will accompany legislation to relax marijuana laws by removing possession
of less than 15 grams from the Criminal Code.

Ms. McLellan, emerging from a Liberal caucus meeting, predicted that
decriminalization will lead to an increase in marijuana smoking, as it has
in other countries that have softened their laws, before stabilizing.

"Certainly one has to be ready to deal with that spike," Ms. McLellan said.

"It can lead to addiction, it can lead to all sorts of situations within
local communities. You need to be ready with information, with education,
and with treatment."

Mr. Cauchon disputed Ms. McLellan's prediction, saying: "I don't believe
that. Today there are 100,000 Canadians using cannabis on a daily basis."

Ms. McLellan's words of caution came the day after Mr. Cauchon returned
from Washington, where he said he outlined his marijuana bill in a meeting
with a skeptical U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

The government has retreated from its initial plan to decriminalize 30
grams or less, about the equivalent of an ounce in the imperial system of
measurement.

Mr. Cauchon has also shifted his emphasis to the harsh measures of his
marijuana legislation, which will include stiffer penalties against drug
traffickers and marijuana grow operations.

But John Walters, the U.S. director of national drug policy, said yesterday
that he does not buy Canada's sales pitch and he repeated warning that
decriminalization will lead to holdups at the border as officers check for
drugs.

In an interview, Mr. Walters denounced Canada's plan to decriminalize even
15 grams, particularly considering the increasing prevalence of a potent
strain, known as B.C. bud, which he described as the "crack"of marijuana.

"It's too much, it should be zero," said Mr. Walters. "If you want to
control a drug problem or an addictive substance problem, you have to work
on demand and supply."

Mr. Walters described Canada's drug problem as "out of control," with
marijuana grow operations run by organized crime escalating across the country.

Mr. Cauchon has said that Canada intends to hand out fines to small-time
users so they will not be saddled with criminal records for the rest of
their lives.

"As justice minister I will do what I think is best for the Canadian
population," said Mr. Cauchon.

He would not discuss his meeting with Mr. Ashcroft, saying only that he
gave his U.S. counterpart the "general principles"of his coming marijuana bill.

Critics of the U.S.'s outspoken stand against decriminalization point out
that that 12 states also have decriminalization.

The crack in the federal cabinet was echoed in the lower ranks of the
party, where two backbenchers said they oppose the government's
decriminalization plan.

"Certainly I'm not going to vote for it,"said Niagara Falls MP Gary Pillitteri.

Joe Fontana, another Liberal MP from southern Ontario, said that the
government should set decriminalization at five grams or less -- about the
equivalent of five cigarettes.

"Fifteen is still too high for simple possession," he said. "What is going
to happen is you're going to have a lot more dealing, you're going to have
an awful lot more giving to young people, we also have to have a very very
good campaign to counteract the signal that might be sent that it's alright
if you're prepared to pay the fine."

But the prime minister said last night that the bill will move forward
despite the objections.

"It's coming, it's coming. Relax. You don't have to smoke it to relax," Mr.
Chretien told reporters after a $500-a-plate fundraising dinner in Montreal.