POT LEGISLATION EXPECTED NEXT WEEK: REPORTS

TORONTO - The federal government could move as early as next week to
decriminalize the possession of marijuana, two newspaper are reporting.

A third newspaper, however, is reporting that possession will remain a
criminal offence, but will not result in a criminal record.

The Globe and Mail reported Saturday the government will unveil legislation
to decriminalize possession of less than 15 grams of marijuana.

People would instead be ticketed under the federal Contraventions Act, the
report said.

The National Post reported Saturday that the amount would be less than the
30 grams originally proposed, and would come concurrent with higher
penalties for those who grow marijuana.

The Toronto Star said the Liberals will still leave marijuana a criminal
offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which is the
legislation that currently covers drug offences in Canada.

However, people caught with a small amount would not get a criminal record,
according to The Star's sources.

The legislative move could come Thursday and would be accompanied by a
national drug strategy.

The U.S. government has made it clear it would be opposed to any move to
decriminalize marijuana possession.

Mike Niebudek of the Canadian Police Association told CBC Newsworld on
Saturday that his organization is opposed to any liberalization of
marijuana laws.

A national drug strategy should be in place for a few years before the
government considers any move to relax the laws, he said.

"We have to address education. We have to address prevention and treatment
before we even think about starting to change our laws," he said.