ACTIVIST WANTS POT LEGALIZED, NOT DECRIMINALIZED

VANCOUVER - Three men set to challenge Canada's marijuana laws won't be
satisfied with recent promises to decriminalize marijuana.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien said last month that his government planned to
introduce legislation that would make simple possession of pot a minor
offence. Getting busted with a dime bag would become more like being pulled
over for speeding =96 get a ticket and pay a fine.

A move to decriminalize, but not legalize, marijuana isn't good enough for
pot advocates.

"It would still suggest that there is some offence, which would mean there'
s
something offensive about what we're doing," said Randy Caine.

The Langley, B.C., man has been challenging the federal dope laws for a
decade, since he was arrested with a partially smoked joint.

The Supreme Court of Canada is tentatively set to hear his arguments, as
well as those of David Malmo-Levigne of Vancouver and Chris Clay of London,
Ont.

They are all challenging their arrests on marijuana laws they say are
unconstitutional.

"It's the right of a consenting adult," Caine said. "I stress the word
adult."

The cases were supposed to be heard in December, but the court put off
hearing the arguments when Justice Minister Martin Cauchon hinted marijuana
would be decriminalized in a matter of months.