WHITE SLAMS CHRETIEN'S POT POLICY

Abbotsford MP Randy White is among those vocally criticizing Prime Minister
Jean Chretien's announcement that the government will push ahead with plans
to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The PM is "in a panic," said White, federal Opposition Solicitor General
critic.

A Supreme Court decision on decriminalization of marijuana is expected this
week, White said, and Chretien is attempting to appease the courts by
showing he's made a decision.

White, MP for Langley-Abbotsford, was vice-chairman of a special
parliamentary committee on non-medical use of drugs.

"It is ironic that the Liberal Government of Canada carelessly blurts out a
policy of decriminalization of marijuana before it considers the 41
recommendations given to it from the . . . committee," he said.

White questioned the amount of weed the 30-gram limit the government is
proposing. That could be as much as 30 to 60 joints, or cigarettes, White
said.

White also questioned the government's plan to ticket people for minor
possession: "The marijuana advocates have told me that they have no
intention of paying the fines anyways," he said.

Canada is lacking a national drug policy, White said, adding it is ironic
that the federal government is pushing decriminalization without addressing
the harm of smoking marijuana.

White also suggested that Chretien's comments could harm its relationship
with the U.S. with its "ad hoc policy," White said

"These guys have no plan, they're just blurting it out," White said.

Langley Advance News