OTTAWA WILL TAKE ITS BEST POT SHOT

OTTAWA -- The federal government will unveil a revamped national drug
strategy today that softens up on pot users but cracks down on marijuana
growers.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon insisted yesterday the policy's merits must
be judged as a package, not on one single component of decriminalization.
He denied the plan has been watered down due to U.S. concerns.

The earlier plan was to decriminalize stashes of up to 30 grams, but recent
reports have suggested the cap will be shrunk to 15 grams.

Ontario Attorney General Norm Sterling criticized the federal plan, arguing
that the intoxicating chemical in pot is up to 30 times stronger today than
two decades ago. "This can lead to devastating effects, including increased
addiction and other damaging health effects," he said.