"MARIJUANA IS HARMFUL AND WILL REMAIN ILLEGAL": OTTAWA

The federal government has proposed a 5-year strategy to combat illicit
drug use, but critics say the framework sits on a flimsy financial foundation.

The $245-million strategy is based in part on lighter penalties for
possessing small amounts of marijuana and on increased public education
about risks associated with use of the drug. "These legislative reforms
will ensure that our possession laws can be enforced more effectively while
at the same time [we] toughen penalties against cannabis grow operations,"
Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said May 27. "Our message to Canadians and
especially our young people is clear -- marijuana is harmful and it will
remain illegal."

CMA President Dana Hanson says the government is providing less than half
of the money it promised to support the plan. "We are very concerned that
the strategy lacks the funding to have a meaningful impact," he said.

Cauchon said the bill recognizes that "most Canadians feel it is
inappropriate" that a person with a small amount of marijuana faces a
criminal conviction.

The bill proposes a scale of fines for people who have less than 15 g of
marijuana or between 15 g and 30 g. Those with more than 30 g still face
prosecution and possible prison terms.

Addiction experts are taking a wait-and-see attitude. "It's too soon to
tell ... whether this strategy is enough," said Dr. David Marsh, president
of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. "We look forward
to having those leading the strategy report every 2 years to see how well
this program is working."