MP: POT REVAMP STINKS

Will fight law change

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.

Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge MP Dan McTeague calls it a "colossal" mistake that
has not been thought through by the justice minister or the three Grit
leadership candidates who support 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," he said.

McTeague said the U.S. would have every right to crack down at border
crossings. Last week, U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci warned of slowdowns at
the border if the laws change.

Today the Supreme Court of Canada is being asked to throw out criminal
penalties for simple possession of small amounts of pot on the grounds they
violate the Charter of Rights.

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