MP HOPES PLAN GOES TO POT

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.

Crack Down

McTeague said the U.S. would have every right to crack down at the border,
adding U.S. customs figures show pot seizures have gone up over the past
four years.

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.

Today, the Supreme Court is being asked to throw out criminal penalties for
simple possession on the grounds that they violate the Charter.

Government lawyers will be arguing the present law should be upheld, even
as the Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Justice Minister Martin Cauchon
prepare to change it.