JUSTICE MINISTER TO ADVISE CABINET ON PROPOSED POT LAW

OTTAWA (CP) - Federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon will brief cabinet on
proposals to decriminalize marijuana and then fill in U.S. officials on the
new bill, Canadian government sources said yesterday.

Cauchon is to lay out his proposal to Prime Minister Jean Chretien and
members of the cabinet on Tuesday, said sources speaking on condition of
anonymity. If it is approved, draft legislation could be tabled by the end
of the week.

Once he has cabinet approval, Cauchon will fly to Washington to brief U.S.
Attorney General John Ashcroft.

The American government has expressed some dismay at Canadian plans to
lighten marijuana penalties even though some people in the U.S. are pushing
for their government to make a similar move.

U.S. officials have told the Canadian government that decriminalizing
marijuana could cause problems such as long lines at border crossings while
vehicles are searched for drugs.

Cauchon said in the Commons yesterday that the government has no intention
of legalizing marijuana.

Sources said that while possession of 15 grams of marijuana will likely be
only met with a fine under new legislation, the federal government will
levy harsher penalties on traffickers and that will be emphasized to Ashcroft.

The government would also crack down on illegal growing operations, the
sources said.