TEENS EYE BORDER HOP FOR POT

SWANTON, Vt. (AP)-- Some of Nicole Cook's classmates in this town less than
16 km from the Canadian border already take trips north because it's legal
for 18-year-olds to drink in Quebec. And as the Canadian government debates
whether to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, Cook
worries such a move would encourage more teens to head north.

"I think it's a massive danger because I've heard of so many people and I
know of so many people that have gone to Canada and done that and come back
and gotten in car accidents and stuff," the 17-year-old student said.

Under the proposed Canadian legislation, the maximum fines for 15 grams or
less of pot would range from $100-$250 for those under 18 to $150-$400 for
adults.

The possession of similar amounts of marijuana in Vermont is a misdemeanor
punishable on a first offence by up to six months in jail, a $500 US fine
or both.

Marijuana use in Vermont is higher than the national average, the state
health department says.