U.S. OVERREACTS TO CANADA'S POT PLAN

Canada's plans to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana
have enflamed the Bush administration's drug enforcement team, which
believes there will be a considerable impact on the U.S. side of the
border. It's hard to see what all the fuss is about.

Canada does not plan to make marijuana legal. It is only trying to moderate
its response to the offence of illegal possession of the drug. Simple
possession of marijuana can bring warnings in some areas of Canada, but a
criminal conviction and jail time in other areas. Prime Minister Jean
Chretien is urging the House of Commons to update and standardize the
country's pot laws to reduce penalties for small amounts of marijuana, but
increase them for growers, sellers and smugglers.

The proposal would reduce penalties for possession of up to 15 grams —
about 20 cigarettes — to a fine of up to $180 for youths and $290 for
adults. However, maximum sentences for growers would double to 14 years.
Fines for possession by intoxicated drivers would increase and the
government would spend about $150 million on an anti-drug educational campaign.

Modest as these changes are, White House drug czar Vernon J. Walters warns
that, as a result, the United States will be flooded with waves of
Canadian-grown grass. Drug Enforcement Administration officials warn of
lengthy delays at the border as customs officials try to stop the deluge.

Oh, Canada. First came the Iraq war, then SARS, then mad cow disease.

And, now, pot.

Ironically, Canada is following the U.S. example. Twelve U.S. states (and
some European countries) have removed criminal penalties for possession of
small amounts of marijuana.

Most of the marijuana consumed by Americans is produced by Americans, often
in closets and basements far from any border patrols, or is smuggled in
from Latin America.

Seizures of Canadian marijuana at the border have increased from 369
kilograms in 1998 to more than 9,000 kilograms last year. The increase is
likely attributed to heightened border surveillance in the wake of the
Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It's difficult to see how enhanced penalties
for cultivation of marijuana in Canada will breed more smuggling to the
U.S. For that matter, it's unlikely that reduced penalties for possession
will promote that, either.

Tougher pot laws have saddled more young people with criminal records, but
have not necessarily produced a decline in marijuana traffic. In an era of
terrorism, mad cows and SARS, the U.S. need not waste its resources blowing
smoke over how Canada pinches small-time pot users. Both countries have
bigger challenges to meet.