POTHEADS, PUNDITS NOT SWALLOWING PROMISE OF DRUG-LAW REFORM

OTTAWA (CP) - Don't expect marijuana to be decriminalized any time soon
despite promises from Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, say some experts and
drug advocates.

Skeptics predict Cauchon's promised legislation, expected by spring, will
die on the order paper at the end of the current session of Parliament.
They suggest it is being introduced as a time-buying sop without backing
from the prime minister. "There won't be enough time to pass it," said Alan
Young, a law professor at Osgoode Hall law school. "He (Cauchon) knows it's
going to die on the order paper."

Last month, a House of Commons committee recommended that people be allowed
to possess up to 30 grams of marijuana without risking criminal penalties.

Cauchon welcomed the recommendation and promised to introduce a bill within
months, but Prime Minister Jean Chretien has not taken a clear position on
the issue.

Young said the biggest obstacle to decriminalization in Canada is U.S.
opposition -- a view shared by many marijuana crusaders.

"That is the only obstacle," said Mark Emery of the B.C. Marijuana Party.
"There is no real internal opposition in Canada any more."

U.S. drug czar John Walters has warned that the United States might tighten
security along its northern border to prevent a surge in contraband
cannabis if Canadian laws are eased.

That could affect the movement of legitimate goods across the border, a
huge concern for export industries. It could also bring a flood of
marijuana-seeking tourists to Canada.

"Millions of Americans would come up here and buy," Emery said.

There appears to be widespread acceptance in Canada on the need for drug
reform. Even the right-wing Fraser Institute advocates decriminalization of
marijuana.

Canadian Alliance MP Randy White said his party is willing to consider
decriminalization of up to five grams, although he has a number of concerns.

Since any bill must go through three readings and committee study in the
Commons, and then be debated in the Senate, there are many opportunities
for delay.

"There's not enough time to do it in the time frame Martin Cauchon
suggested," said Marc-Boris St-Maurice, president Canadian Marijuana Party.

"The prime minister's been wishy washy about his intentions and they'd need
him on board if they were going to fast-track something through. There's
absolutely no guarantees."

Mike Murphy, a spokesman for Cauchon, declined to comment on the prospects
of the bill becoming law during the life of the current government.

"We wouldn't want to speculate on that at this time," he said.