CANNABIS COMING OFF CRIME BOOKS

Justice Minister To Seek Decriminalization In New Year

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said yesterday he intends to press ahead
early next year with legislation to decriminalize marijuana so that people
caught with small amounts won't face a criminal record.

"If we talk about the question of decriminalizing marijuana, we may move
ahead quickly as a government," Mr. Cauchon said outside the House of Commons.

"I don't like to give you a date, but let's say the beginning of next year.
Give me the four first months of next year."

After contemplating the prospect for months, the comments yesterday were
the first indication that Mr. Cauchon has made a final decision.

However, the minister stressed that, formally, he is still awaiting a final
recommendation from a House of Commons committee on drug use. The committee
will tell the minister on Thursday that possession of small amounts of
marijuana should be decriminalized.

"I don't think I've ever really hidden my position," said Mr. Cauchon, 40,
who has confessed to smoking cannabis in his youth.

"I think most Canadians know where I stand, but I'm part of a parliamentary
process that I must respect."

The committee will recommend that Canadians caught with less than 30 grams
of cannabis -- roughly the amount that fits in a small sandwich bag --
should be given a fine akin to a parking ticket rather than be criminally
charged, sources have told Global TV's news program, Global National.

Currently in the Criminal Code, a person caught with small amounts of
marijuana can be jailed for up to six months and receive a fine of $1,000.

The committee's recommendation is more conservative than one made in August
by a Senate committee, which said marijuana should be outright legalized.

Mr. Cauchon has rejected legalization, saying that society still believes
that the possession of the drug should carry some sort of penalty.

He has not revealed where he will draw the line between criminal and
non-criminal behaviour, but he has said that trafficking will remain a
serious criminal offence.

Solicitor General Wayne Easter says that he is taking no public position on
whether marijuana should be decriminalized. Rather, he will go along with
whatever Mr. Cauchon decides to do.

The Canadian Police Association is strongly opposed to taking possession
out of the criminal record books and the organization wants Mr. Easter to
take a more aggressive stand.

Mr. Cauchon has said that the current system, in which police in some
provinces lay charges while others do not, might not be working as it should.