RELAXED DRUG LAWS WIN JUSTICE MINISTER'S BACKING

Cauchon Supports Decriminalization Of Marijuana

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon expressed support Thursday for
decriminalizing marijuana as the "first step" toward relaxing drug laws in
Canada.

Cauchon made the statement in response to a Senate committee report that
earlier called for the complete legalization of cannabis to halt organized
crime involvement with marijuana and eliminate the stigma of a criminal
record for thousands of young people who smoke the drug.

Cauchon said the government intends to modernize Canada's narcotics laws,
but wants to hear first this fall from a House of Commons committee also
studying the issue. The government expects new legislation to be ready by
early 2003.

"As regards to the decriminalization of marijuana, I feel there is strong
support," said Cauchon. "I feel that the population is there, and probably
(that) would be something feasible as a first step."

He said it is unlikely Canada would be able to legalize marijuana entirely
because of obligations under international drug-control treaties.

Cauchon, who earlier this summer raised the possibility of a new policy,
said that after he became justice minister last January he discovered the
existing laws do not match public opinion about marijuana consumption and
possession.

"When I started to get involved in the issue, it's because I felt as
justice minister that the legislation in place actually is disconnected
with Canadian reality," said Cauchon, who has admitted he smoked marijuana.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien avoided taking a position on the issue.

"It wasn't part of my generation, I never tried it," Chretien told
reporters after Cauchon made his statement.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse said Thursday it also supports the
decriminalization of marijuana, but did not back the Senate committee's
recommendation for complete legalization of the drug.

Richard Garlick, the centre's director of communications, welcomed other
aspects of the Senate report but said no government has yet legalized cannabis.

"Nobody has done it, and I don't think Canada wants to be the first out on
that limb," said Garlick.

A special Senate committee chaired by Conservative Senator Pierre-Claude
Nolin unanimously urged the government to legalize marijuana and license
production and sale of the drug to any Canadian citizen over the age of 16.

It also called for an amnesty for anyone convicted of marijuana possession
under existing or previous laws.

"I have to say as a parent, I would be more concerned about pot use than
alcohol use by my children, even in moderation," Canadian Alliance Leader
Stephen Harper said Thursday from a caucus retreat in Barrie, Ont.

"But I would be most concerned if they wanted to be unelected senators,"
Harper said, adding the report underscores "once again ... the need to
reform the Senate."

"It really quite distresses me. It's not that I think the recommendations
are fairly radical, but I think they border on almost advocating the use of
marijuana," he said, adding that he is asthmatic and has "never smoked any
kind of substance."

The Canadian Police Association, which harshly condemned the Senate report,
also criticized Cauchon's statement, saying there should be no changes to
drug laws before the government establishes a comprehensive drug policy.

David Griffin, the association's executive officer, said Cauchon appears to
have taken a position without consulting the police association and other
interested groups beforehand.

"The minister seems to be leaning in a certain direction without the
benefit of consultations with people who should at least have had an
opportunity to make submissions," Griffin said.

The police association had a meeting scheduled with Cauchon for Sept. 30.

But Griffin said he expects it may be cancelled because Chretien announced
Thursday that is the date set for a throne speech to open a new session of
Parliament.