MARIJUANA USE MAY RISE IF LIBERALS DECRIMINALIZE POT, HEALTH MINISTER WARNS

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

McLellan made the comment as Justice Minister Martin Cauchon announced he
will introduce a bill the last week of May to reform marijuana laws and
decriminalize possession of small amounts of the drug. Reports from U.S.
states that have dropped criminal sanctions 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 use levels eventually drop back 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, who
expressed doubt that putting an end to criminal sentences for simple
possession would boost marijuana use.

"I don't believe that," said Cauchon, noting that an estimated 100,000
Canadians already use pot.

Given that fact, he said, the government has to find a better legal
framework to deal with the problem.

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 government's plan to eliminate jail terms and criminal
records for people convicted of possession of small amounts of pot.

Under the new regime they would receive fines, and the offence would be
treated in much the same manner as a traffic violation.

However, the bill will also boost penalties for growers and traffickers.
The government is also expected to announce new spending on drug
prevention, education and treatment, all aimed at discouraging use,
especially by young people.

Cauchon described his meeting with Ashcroft as "very cordial" but would not
say how his U.S. counterpart reacted. Nor would he speculate on whether the
concerns of the Bush administration about decriminalization have been fully
laid to rest.

He bristled at suggestions that the purpose of his trip was to seek
permission from Washington before going ahead.

"As minister of justice I will do what I think is good for the Canadian
population," said Cauchon. "I believe the policy we will table will be good
for Canada."

Government insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Cauchon made
a number of points in his meeting with Ashcroft, among them that
decriminalization does not mean outright legalization.

Cauchon also assured Ashcroft of continued Canadian co-operation in
fighting the cross-border drug trade and organized crime.

But Liberal strategists were adamant that he outlined his plans merely as a
courtesy, and was seeking neither U.S. approval nor suggestions on how to
shape the Canadian legislation.

Cauchon told reporters that holding off on his bill for another two weeks
will enable Ottawa to put together a broader package that will include
increased spending on drug research, education and treatment.

McLellan, who is co-ordinating the wider strategy, said details of the
funding are still being ironed out. But she indicated part of the new cash
will go to the Solicitor General's Department to beef up police efforts
against domestic growers of marijuana.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien dropped a reference to the marijuana
legislation from a speech Wednesday night in Montreal but told reporters
later: "It's coming, it's coming. Relax."

In Ottawa earlier, Liberal backbenchers were divided in their views.

MP Gary Pilletteri said he can't bring himself to support decriminalization.

Paul Martin, who is considered the frontrunner to succeed Chretien as
Liberal leader, said in Montreal later Wednesday that "I don't think for a
very, very small amount a young person should have a criminal record but I
think there should be stiff fines."

Fellow backbencher Joe Fontana said in Ottawa he doesn't think young people
should be saddled with criminal records for simple possession, but he
reserved judgment until he sees details of the bill.

Meanwhile, one ordinary Canadian took matters into his own hands.

John Turmel, a self-described professional gambler and perennial fringe
candidate who has run 54 unsuccessful campaigns for political office,
showed up on Parliament Hill to light up a joint.

He then tried to take a duffle bag - which he said contained seven pounds
of marijuana - into the Parliament Buildings, saying he wanted to deliver
some to Chretien.

Turmel was arrested by the RCMP and charged with possession for purposes of
trafficking. He said he will fight the case in court.