DECRIMINALIZATION WOULD HIKE US USE, WHITE HOUSE WARNS

MONTREAL -- Despite sharp criticisms from the Bush administration, Canada
yesterday introduced federal legislation that removes criminal penalties
for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

White House officials immediately warned that such "decriminalization" will
result in more smuggling of powerful hydroponically-grown marijuana from
the north and increase cannabis use among Americans.

"Canada is an exploding source of highly-potent marijuana," said John P.
Walters, director of the US Office of National Drug Control Policy, in a
phone interview. "It's a multibillion-dollar industry and most of the
production is headed south."

US Ambassador Paul Cellucci earlier this month hinted that northern border
checks will become more stringent -- resulting in travel delays and huge
added costs to Canadian exporters -- if the country loosens its marijuana laws.

Walters stopped short of threatening a border crackdown if Canada passes
the bill -- and passage seems inevitable given the commanding majority
Prime Mi nister Jean Chretien enjoys in Parliament -- but pointedly noted
that such countries as Mexico and Colombia support eradication of marijuana
crops while "Canada seems to be going in another direction."

"We don't want the border with Canada looking like the US-Mexico border,"
Walters said, an allusion to the almost military-style border patrols along
the southern boundary compared to the traditionally relaxed controls to the
north.

Canadian Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, calling his country "a different
place with different values," said Canadians no longer believe in imposing
criminal sanctions for smoking marijuana or possessing a pocketful of joints.

"Does it make sense that a person who makes a bad choice can receive the
lasting burden of a criminal conviction?" Cauchon asked rhetorically at an
Ottawa news conference. "A criminal conviction can limit career
opportunities and make travel to other countries difficult."

Canadian officials stressed that the bill does not legalize marijuana but
instead is meant to ensure that small-time users, especially young people,
do not gain lifetime criminal records for puffing on the intoxicating weed.

Under the proposed law, which drew fire from Canadian police and
antisubstance-abuse groups, a person caught in possession of 15 grams of
marijuana -- about half an ounce, enough for 15 to 20 joints -- or less
would receive a citation equivalent to a parking ticket, with penalties
ranging from a verbal warning to a $292 fine for adults who repeatedly
offend. Users under 18 years of age would receive lesser penalties but
might be required to undergo counseling.

Those caught with 15 to 30 grams could be charged with criminal possession
or simply ticketed, according to the discretion of the arresting officer.
Possession of more than 30 grams would remain a criminal offense.

Government officials tried to present the bill as a "get tough" measure,
since it also doubles the maximum penalty for growing marijuana -- to 14
years' imprisonment -- and authorizes expenditure of $179 million for drug
education and treatment.

But Canadian judges seldom hand out maximum penalties, and police in Canada
are skeptical about the bill. For example, they complain, dealers caught
lurking near schoolyards face only a fine as long as they keep their wares
stashed away and only small amounts on their selves.

"Situations like that demand a stronger response than a ticket," said David
Griffin, spokesman for the Canadian Police Association, noting that
marijuana is often a "gateway drug" leading to more serious narcotics abuse.

Another group strongly opposed to the bill is the Canadian chapter of
Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

"This is playing politics over public safety," said Andrew Murrie, national
director of MADD-Canada.

But the most biting criticisms of the proposed law have come from
Washington, where the Bush White House has been adamant that the
liberalization of Canadian marijuana laws will boost drug use among
Americans. An estimated $2.5 billion a year of "B.C. Bud" and "Quebec Gold"
- -- nicknames for some of the powerful hydroponically-grown marijuana --
reaches American marijuana users, according to law enforcment agencies.

Walters described the marijuana situation in Canada as "out of control --
hydroponic production is growing from British Columbia to Manitoba to
Quebec, run by outlaw biker gangs, and most of it flowing right to the US."

Canada has sought to assuage American concerns, sending high-level envoys
to Washington this month to discuss the law with Walters, Secretary General
John Ashcroft, and other figures in the Bush administration. But the
controversial bill remains yet another irritant in the rancorous relations
between the two neighbors -- Canada refused to support the US-led war in
Iraq and has declined US requests to overhaul its liberal refugee rules.

Canadian Health Minister Anne McLellan said that "most Canadians" support
the decriminalization of marijuana, and that use of pot should be a health
issue, not a law enforcement issue. The new law includes $179 million for
education and treatment programs aimed at combating drug use among youths.

"One would hope that nobody would smoke, whether tobacco or marijuana,"
McLellan said. "We would like everyone to quit smoking."