PRO-POT SENATOR WANTS TO 'EDUCATE' STRONACH ON WEED

OTTAWA (CP) -- A pro-marijuana senator who backs Belinda Stronach says he's
going to have a word with the Conservative party leadership hopeful about
her opposition to decriminalizing pot.

Pierre Claude Nolin, who's working on the Stronach campaign in Quebec and
who headed a Senate committee recommending legalization, said yesterday
that he plans to meet with Stronach next week to educate her on the facts.

He said he regrets not having spoken to her before her campaign launch
Tuesday in which she opposed changing pot laws. The Liberal government has
proposed decriminalizing - but not legalizing - small amounts of weed.

Stronach said a more liberal pot law would slow traffic at the Canada-U.S.
border because of increased security, a sentiment echoed by the U.S.
ambassador.

But Nolin said Stronach may not be aware that marijuana has already been
decriminalized in many U.S. states.