GRIT MP SAYS POT PLAN VIOLATES UN AGREEMENT

OTTAWA -- A Liberal MP says Canada will violate an international treaty if
it moves ahead with plans to decriminalize pot.

Ajax-Pickering MP Dan McTeague said representatives of the UN office on
Drugs and Crime met with government officials last week to warn that
Canada's proposed legislative changes would contravene a 1961 UN drug
control convention.

"It would represent a serious blow to the government," said McTeague. "It's
always been keen to find ways to suggest those who are opposed to this are
following U.S. policy. In fact, it's not U.S. policy, it's UN policy."

The agreement prohibits parties from permitting the possession of drugs
except for scientific or medicinal purposes.