MARIJUANA DECISION STILL UP IN AIR: PM

Decriminalization Debate Continuing, Chretien Insists In Year-End Interview

Position Contradicts Cauchon Pledge Of New Law Early In 2003

Jean Chretien retreated yesterday from the government's plans to
decriminalize marijuana by declaring that no final decision has been made.

The prime minister's position contradicts that of Justice Minister Martin
Cauchon, who said last week that he intended to introduce decriminalization
legislation in the first four months of next year.

Mr. Chretien, who said he has never tried marijuana, said that the debate
over decriminalization is ongoing and that the government will have to make
a decision "one day."

Mr. Chretien's spokesman, Jim Munson, acknowledged that Mr. Cauchon "has
made his intentions known." But Mr. Munson cautioned that the justice
minister's plans are not final.

"There will be a very vigorous debate," said Mr. Munson.

Mr. Chretien made his comments in a year-end interview with Global TV and
in response to a caller who opposed changing marijuana laws.

Mr. Chretien went out of his way to say that he had never tried pot and he
does not know what it is like to be high.

"I don't know what is the feeling," he said.

Mr. Cauchon, 40, has admitted to smoking marijuana in his youth and has
made no secret of his belief that people caught with less than 30 grams --
about 25 or 30 cigarettes -- should be fined rather than criminally charged.

He has been considering the prospect for six months and, until yesterday,
it has appeared that there was little standing in his way, particularly
after a Commons committee last week recommended decriminalization.

Several marijuana supporters predict that the government, which has
promised on-and-off over the past 30 years to decriminalize, will never act.

Mr. Chretien said that no matter what the government decides to do, it
won't please everybody.

"When you decide on a thing like that, you make some people unhappy and
others happy. You cannot please everybody all the time."

Some provincial justice ministers have questioned why Mr. Cauchon has
chosen to tackle the divisive issue, and critics have suggested any move to
legalize marijuana would create difficulties with the U.S. and its tough
approach to drugs.

Mike Murphy, a spokesman for Mr. Cauchon, said the minister's statements do
not conflict with Mr. Chretien's comments.

He said there would be a lot of debate "in cabinet, in caucus, and in the
public forum" before legislation is introduced.

But Mr. Murphy did not back away from Mr. Cauchon's suggestions that a new
law is on the way.