NEWS IN BRIEF FROM CANADA

OTTAWA (AP) -- The Liberal government's bid to decriminalize small
amounts of marijuana faces growing resistance from police, American
officials and opposition politicians.

Critics -- including those wielding the powerful threat of Canada-U.S.
trade hold-ups -- have taken aim at related legislation reintroduced
by the minority Liberals.

A previous bill died when the federal election was called in the
spring.

From quantity limits to enforcement and training, police across Canada
have major concerns, says the head of the Canadian Professional Police
Association.

"It's putting the cart before the horse," said president Tony
Cannavino, representing 54,000 officers and members.

"The government should have started first of all with a national drug
strategy instead of going forward with a bill decriminalizing
marijuana," he said Wednesday in an interview. "It's sending the wrong
message to kids."

The association does not believe anyone caught with one or two joints
should get a criminal record, Cannavino stressed. "We think it's
exaggerated."

But police have big problems with a bill that would fine adults $150
and minors $100 for possessing up to 15 grams, he said. "That
represents between 30 and 50 joints of marijuana."

Police also want to see automatic minimum sentences of five to seven
years for big-time growers, Cannavino says.