CAUCUS MEMBERS BREAK WITH LAYTON ON MARIJUANA POLICY

OTTAWA -- NDP Leader Jack Layton's call for legalizing marijuana is not
getting the support of all of his MPs.

Earlier this month, Mr. Layton told the Vancouver-based Internet site Pot
TV that marijuana is "a wonderful substance" that should be legalized and
urged pot smokers to vote for the NDP in the federal election next spring.

The New Democrats' current policy on marijuana laws endorses
decriminalization, and some New Democrat MPs say it should stay that way.

"My position is quite clear," said Nova Scotia MP Peter Stoffer. "I support
decriminalization, not legalization."

Manitoba MP Bev Desjarlais does not support Mr. Layton's call for
legalization either: "I think there's a need to decriminalize at this point
in time." But when asked about Mr. Layton's much-publicized appearance on
Pot TV, she replied: "I have to admit I didn't watch Pot TV. I would have
to hear what the party would have to say." The party's policy will be
discussed at a caucus meeting in Ottawa next month.

"I'll be urging that we move beyond decriminalization," Mr. Layton said in
an interview. "We need to modernize our laws." No other leader of a major
federal political party has come out in support of legalizing marijuana.

Mr. Layton's comments are creating a buzz among members of the Marijuana Party.

Dana Larsen, leader of British Columbia's Marijuana Party and editor of
Cannabis Culture magazine, has resigned from his political post to seek the
NDP nomination in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast.

"They [the Alliance and the Tories] have the unite-the-right going," he
said. "We have unite-the-left going." Marc Emery, the founder of Pot TV, is
urging marijuana activists to join the NDP in the next election instead of
the national Marijuana Party.

The millionaire marijuana-seed grower has attached a link to the NDP's
website on the Pot TV website and is airing a debate Saturday with Boris
St-Maurice, leader of the federal Marijuana Party, on the issue.

Mr. St-Maurice said he may consent not to run candidates in a few key
ridings where a Marijuana Party member has won the nomination for the NDP,
but he will not pull his national slate of candidates.

The Marijuana Party didn't run a full slate of candidates in the 2000
federal election. It got only about one-half per cent of the vote.

Mr. St-Maurice said he is reluctant to endorse the NDP because it has not
been clear about its policy.

"If we're going to support a party, I suppose the potheads should go to the
Liberals," he said, referring to the government's recently introduced
legislation to decriminalize possession of amounts of marijuana up to 15
grams. Tickets and fines would be issued, and offenders would not have
criminal records.

Mr. Layton has said he supports the findings of a Senate report last year
that recommends marijuana be legalized and regulated like alcohol.

The report called on Ottawa to relax cannabis laws and to redirect money
spent prosecuting minor charges in order to fight drug trafficking and
substance abuse.

Vancouver MP Libby Davies said she supports legalizing marijuana but said
the party's 14 MPs and Mr. Layton need to discuss the issue further. Lorne
Nystrom, a Regina New Democratic MP, also supports legalization.

"If it's legalized, it also has to be regulated," he said, adding: "I
certainly don't advocate smoking marijuana." But Dick Proctor, another
Saskatchewan MP from the party, said he is undecided. "I want to hear all
of the arguments on both sides before I make up my mind."