CHRETIEN SAYS 'NO' TO LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Jean Chretien has ruled out the decriminalization
of marijuana.

Chretien told reporters Monday he supports the federal policy of legalizing
marijuana for medicinal purposes. But he gave a blunt, succinct answer when
asked whether his government intends to go any farther: "No."

He later said he welcomes renewed public debate on the issue, but suggested
that will not change his mind.

"We've made a move on the question of using marijuana for health and the
minister of health has done it. Should we go into decriminalization and so
on? It's not part of the agenda at this time. But there is a public
debate. That's all right."

Chretien shrugged off suggestions that the push for decriminalization has
gained unprecedented momentum, noting that the issue has been debated for
30 years.

The prime minister's rejection of decriminalization comes only two weeks
after all five federal parties agreed to strike a special committee to
examine Canada's drug laws. The creation of the committee has reignited
debate over the possibility of removing possession of marijuana as an
offence under the Criminal Code.

Tory Leader Joe Clark has said he favours decriminalization, as has a
smattering of MPs from all parties. Justice Minister Anne McLellan has
said she's open to debate on the issue.

Late last year, a Senate committee was charged with undertaking a two-year
study of Canada's drug laws and has since heard primarily from groups that
favour decriminalization.

On Monday, the Canadian Police Association warned the Senate committee
that decriminalizing possession of even small amounts of marijuana would
weaken both the public perception of "harm in drug use" and the "moral
disapproval of drug use."

It argued that countries which have adopted more permissive drug laws have
experienced an increase in health-care costs and violent crime. It also
maintained that marijuana is "the gateway" to the use of other, harder drugs.

The police association's opposition is at odds with the Canadian
Association of Police Chiefs and the RCMP, both of which have endorsed
decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana, provided that
the government simultaneously introduces new drug prevention, education and
treatment programs.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal has similarly called on the
government to decriminalize possession of small amounts. A recent journal
editorial argued that there are "minimal" health risks in smoking marijuana
in moderation.