FEDS WARN OF POT SPIKE

New Law Brings Risk: McLellan

OTTAWA -- Canada must be prepared for a potential increase in marijuana
use, at least in the short term, if simple possession of pot is
decriminalized, Health Minister Anne McLellan warned yesterday.

McLellan made the comment as Justice Minister Martin Cauchon announced he
will introduce a bill within two weeks to reform marijuana laws and
decriminalize possession of small amounts of the drug.

Reports from the U.S. indicate there is a spike in use immediately after
the law is changed, McLellan said as she left a Liberal caucus meeting.

She added that usage eventually returns to normal but said it's important
to be prepared.

"Certainly one has to be ready to deal with that spike," she said. "It can
lead to addiction, it can lead to all sorts of situations within local
communities. You need to be ready with information, with education, and
with treatment."

But McLellan's contention was immediately questioned by Cauchon. "I don't
believe that," he said, noting an estimated 100,000 Canadians already use pot.

Cauchon's announcement that he will press ahead with the pot bill came a
day after he travelled to Washington to brief U.S. Attorney General John
Ashcroft on the plan to eliminate jail terms and criminal records for
possession of small amounts of pot.

Cauchon described the meeting as "very cordial" but would not say how
Ashcroft reacted. Nor would he speculate on whether U.S. concerns have been
fully laid to rest.