RELAXED MARIJUANA LAWS TO BE 'EXPLORED'

In the clearest sign yet that the federal Liberals may be moving toward
relaxing the country's most controversial drug law, yesterday's throne
speech indicated the Chretien government "will act on the results of
parliamentary consultations with Canadians" and explore "the possibility of
the decriminalization of marijuana possession."

The strong whiff of reform follows several years of renewed debate about
the merits of continuing to press criminal charges against those caught
with cannabis.

Although the use of marijuana for medical use was recently approved by the
federal government and a Senate report recommended in September the full
legalization of marijuana, the throne speech suggested the government plans
only to reduce the charge of marijuana possession to a misdemeanour so that
those caught with the drug would no longer carry a criminal record.

"It's time to start talking about that as a concern in our society," said
Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, who pledged to move quickly on the issue
following a House of Commons review of drug laws.

"We can't have legalization," he said, noting that "it will be almost
impossible to move ahead in that direction, in the sense that we're part of
some international conventions and we have to respect our commitment on
that side."

But he added: "That doesn't mean we can't decriminalize."

The Senate report had argued that marijuana use does not lead to addictions
to more serious drugs and that the sale of cannabis should be permitted
according to government regulation.

However, reaction to the throne speech from two Toronto-area Liberal MPs --
both strong backers of the party's top leadership contender Paul Martin --
made clear there is no unanimity within the government caucus on the
question of decriminalizing marijuana possession.

"The issue of decriminalization, not on, I'm sorry," said Toronto MP Dan
McTeague, voicing concerns echoed by fellow MP Albina Guarnieri. "Anybody
who believes that that is going to happen has to very clearly take into
account my view, (the views) of the constituencies they represent, and the
cold hard facts."

The throne speech also said the government will "implement a national drug
strategy to address addiction while promoting public safety. It will expand
the number of drug treatment courts."