CANADA'S MINISTER TO OUTLINE MARIJUANA PLAN TO ASHCROFT

OTTAWA -- Canadian Justice Minister Martin Cauchon will present his
controversial plan to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of
marijuana to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft on Tuesday, officials said
Monday.

Cauchon is expected to introduce his marijuana legislation this month,
possibly this week, despite warnings from the Bush administration that this
could force the United States to tighten its border with Canada.

Washington had already expressed concern about the volume of Canadian
marijuana shipments coming into the United States and is now concerned the
softer laws would mean a further rise.

Cauchon is expected to stress to Ashcroft that marijuana will remain
illegal, even if no longer criminal, and that Canada will toughen penalties
substantially for marijuana-growing operations.

The legislation is designed to ensure no one gets a criminal record for
having small amounts of the drug. Jail terms would likely be replaced by fines.