COURT UPHOLDS MARIJUANA POSSESSION LAWS

TORONTO, CANADA -- Canada's Supreme Court upheld the country's laws
against marijuana possession on Tuesday, even as Prime Minister Paul
Martin presses to eliminate jail sentences for people caught with
small amounts of the drug.

In a 6-3 decision, the justices ruled that possession of marijuana
would remain a criminal offense. In a separate, unanimous decision, it
maintained trafficking of the drug was illegal.

The ruling does not preclude Martin from going ahead with a proposed
bill that would soften penalties.

President Bush has expressed concerns about the bill, fearing it could
encourage drug smuggling along the border.

The court ruling prompted praise from law-enforcement groups but
disappointment from proponents of marijuana legalization.

"My huge patriotism may slowly be dissipating. I have a lot of faith
in my country, in freedom and justice, but it doesn't seem like we
have a whole lot of that left," said Dominic Kramer, a marijuana
activist who runs a store that sells hemp products.

Last week, Martin said he planned to reintroduce a bill, proposed
under former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, that would wipe out
potential jail time and criminal records for those convicted of
marijuana possession.