CANADIAN DRUG LAWS IRRITATE BUSH

OTTAWA -- Only weeks before the Martin government plans to revive a
marijuana decriminalization bill, the U.S. has taken another pot-shot
at Canada by saying its slack drug penalties amount to an "invitation"
for organized crime. "We are concerned that the lack of judicial
sanctions against marijuana producers is resulting in greater
involvement in the burgeoning marijuana industry by organized criminal
groups," said a report from President George W. Bush to the U.S.
Congress. It's the second year that Canada has been mentioned in the
annual White House report on countries with drug problems, mainly from
South America.

Although Canada is not on the official list of 22 major drug producers
and transit countries, it is noted as a country of concern.

Prime Minister Paul Martin said recently he would revive a bill this
fall to decriminalize possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana, so
users would be fined $100 to $400 instead of receiving criminal records.

The legislation also proposes to double the maximum jail terms for
people caught cultivating marijuana.

The White House cited Canada's proposed bill as an irritant to Bush.
The report, however, stressed that its criticism is against Canadian
politicians, not police, whom the White House praised for diligence in
trying to stem the flow of drugs across the border and clamp down on
organized crime.