CHRETIEN HIGH ON POT PLAN

Hanger Says PM's Comments Sending Wrong Message

Is Prime Minister Jean Chretien going to pot?

The 69-year-old prime minister says he has never smoked marijuana, but quipped
in an interview this week he might be willing to give it a try once it's
decriminalized.

Chretien made the comment in an Ottawa interview with a Winnipeg newspaper.

Chretien was asked how it felt to have bills for decriminalizing marijuana and
legalizing same-sex marriages as the exclamation points to his lengthy
political career.

"I don't know what is marijuana," Chretien replied. "Perhaps I will try it when
it will no longer be criminal.

"I will have my money for my fine and a joint in the other hand."

The comment is getting laughs from members of the Official Opposition but they
are more out of frustration than humour, said Alliance MP for Calgary Northeast
Art Hanger.

"I wonder if the man is reverting back to his youth ... his thoughts seem so
scattered (these days)," said Hanger. "I think the Prime Minister has flipped
out."

But the comments will have an impact on the public and it likely won't be a
positive one, he said.

Those most likely to get the wrong message are kids, said Hanger.

"I don't think (the message) is very responsible," said Hanger.

"He is sending the message that smoking marijuana is a normal involvement."

Hanger said he can no longer understand what the Prime Minister's agenda is.

Nor does he understand why the PM is so willing to engage in that kind of
dialogue with the media "and indirectly with our youth.

"We have to get this guy out of there and the sooner the better," he said.

Canadian Alliance Leader Stephen Harper has been a harsh critic of the Liberal
government's pot decriminalization bill.

He said it's hard to tell if Chretien is kidding with his remark about
marijuana.

The person who really should be asked for his opinion on pot is Paul Martin,
who will be the next prime minister, said Harper.

Chretien defended his government's position on the decriminalization of
marijuana by stating that the move is a way to arbitrate laws with current
realities.

"The decriminalization of marijuana is making normal what is the practice,"
Chretien said.

"It is still illegal, but do you think Canadians want their kids, 18 years old
or 17, who smoke marijuana once and get caught by the police, to have a
criminal record for the rest of their life?

"What has happened is so illogical that they are not prosecuted anymore, so
let's make the law adjust to the realities.

"It is still illegal, but they will pay a fine -- it is in sync with the
times."