U.S. SEES NEW BILL BEFORE MPS DO

OTTAWA - Martin Cauchon, the Justice Minister, yesterday gave the U.S.
government an unprecedented preview of his proposed marijuana
decriminalization bill before it is tabled tomorrow in Parliament.

The New Democrats, Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois all cried foul at the
briefing for John Ashcroft, the U.S. Attorney-General. They accused Jean
Chretien, the Prime Minister, of showing "contempt" for Parliament.

The United States has pressed Canada to abandon its decriminalization plan,
warning it would lead to border delays because of tighter customs
inspections. Ottawa responded by watering down the proposed law and
stiffening penalties for drug traffickers and people caught running
marijuana grow operations.

Yesterday, Mr. Chretien conceded his government was concerned about U.S.
threats, and denied Canada is being soft on the illegal drug trade.

"We're modernizing the sentences for marijuana," he said. "It's not legal,
we will not make it legal. The sentences will be different -- they will be
tougher for the growers, the traffickers, and less tough for the people who
use it in small quantities."

In the Commons, opposition MPs were furious Mr. Cauchon briefed his U.S.
counterpart on the bill before they saw it.

"The Prime Minister, even though he has been here longer than me, never has
to worry about being charged with possession of respect for Parliament,
even in small amounts," said Bill Blaikie of the NDP.

"The one thing that hasn't occurred to the Prime Minister is to put down
the new marijuana law here in Parliament for members of Parliament to see
it first. Why the contempt for Parliament?"

The Prime Minister said Parliament has been "consulted" because a Commons
committee proposed in December that Canadians be allowed to possess 30
grams of marijuana without facing criminal charges.

However, the bill would fine people caught with less than 15 grams of
marijuana, the equivalent of about half an ounce.

"What is he complaining about?" Mr. Chretien replied. "Now the legislation
will be tabled. When you have it, you will have it."

Gilles Duceppe, the Bloc Quebecois leader, said Mr. Chretien is kowtowing
to Washington, and should have briefed MPs before the Americans.

Mr. Chretien said it was a courtesy to inform Mr. Ashcroft of the contents
of the legislation and said there has been no loss of independence. He
pointed out he stood up to the Bush administration when they wanted Canada
to join the war against Iraq.

"This country can take its own decisions about its independence," Mr.
Chretien said.

Under the proposed bill, users caught with more than 15 grams would still
be subject to a criminal charge that carries a maximum penalty of six
months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Small-time users would be charged under the non-criminal Contraventions
Act, a little-used Act that controls such things as driving on federal
wharves and abandoning vessels in a public harbour. The anticipated penalty
for marijuana possession would fall short of the current maximum fine of
$500 -- possibly as little as $100.

Mr. Cauchon said the U.S. needs to know decriminalization of simple
possession does not mean Canada does not believe in strong efforts to
combat drug trafficking.

"The two countries are working exactly in the same direction ...
maintaining the illegality of drug use in our countries," he said.

The legislation will be accompanied by a renewed national drug strategy
that will put millions of dollars into drug prevention, education and
treatment.