POT DECRIMINALIZATION 'COLOSSAL MISTAKE': MP

OTTAWA -- A Toronto-area Liberal MP vows to fight a move by the Chretien
government to decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot for personal
use.

Dan McTeague calls it a "colossal" mistake that has not been thought
through by the justice minister or the three Grit leadership candidates who
are supporting it.

"This is a short-sighted policy. In their rush to be trendy, the supporters
of this are ignoring the serious economic and social consequences," said
the Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge MP.

McTeague said the United States would have every right to crack down at
border crossings, adding U.S. Customs figures show seizures of pot have
been going up over the past four years.

In 1998, 369 kg were seized, rising to 9,477 kg in 2002.

"I don't think the Americans are kidding. I think the idea of being
flippant about it is arrogance and wilful ignorance," McTeague said.

Last week, U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci warned of slowdowns at the border
if the Chretien government goes ahead.

McTeague said the decision to decriminalize also sends the wrong message
and is an affront to all of the good intentions of organizations trying get
people off drugs.

McTeague said the argument that decriminalization would spare young people
a criminal record is bogus, pointing out that anyone can apply for a pardon
after five years.