PROPOSED POT LAW VIOLATES UN TREATY, SAYS MP

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 United Nations
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 UN convention prohibits parties from permitting the possession of
drugs, including cannabis, except for scientific or medicinal purposes.
Canada risks being viewed as the "Colombia of the North" if it withdraws
from the treaty, McTeague said.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon has referred the draft legislation to a
special committee, which is expected to recommend changes before it faces a
vote in the House of Commons.