NO HIGHS, ONLY LOWS, TO POT PLAN

There was a definite buzz around the country this week as the Sun published
its six-part series on Canada's marijuana laws.

Even Prime Minister Jean Chretien joined the debate, formally announcing at
a Liberal fundraising dinner that his government will, as expected, begin
to decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot this spring.

But in doing so, the PM demonstrated everything that's wrong with his pot
policy.

First, when the Liberal crowd cheered his announcement, he gave a knowing
grin and made a joke. "Don't start to smoke right away," he quipped. "We're
not legalizing it - we're decriminalizing it." Nudge, nudge, ha-ha.

He then went on to stress that while the new law would save pot smokers
from "unnecessary" criminal records, it would also be tougher on drug
dealers and smugglers - and, get this, discourage youths from using marijuana.

Right. So the Grits say it's not a crime to smoke a little pot, but it is a
crime to sell it - meaning you'll still have to buy it from criminals,
mostly violent gangsters. Oh, and of course kids shouldn't smoke it. Yeah,
that'll work.

This isn't bold, new policy - the LeDain commission called for
decriminalization 33 years ago. This is a brazen vote grab.

And even at that, the Grits haven't done their homework. Although the Sun's
exclusive poll showed 83% of Canadians want the law changed, the greatest
number (43%) supports - as do we - decriminalization of pot for medicinal
use. Only 20% want Liberal-style decriminalization; the same number prefers
total legalization.

As it stands, the Chretien proposal is the worst of all worlds - it retains
many of the problems of prohibition (organized crime, etc.) and few of the
benefits of legalization (better regulation, government savings). It
doesn't help cops deal with drug crime or stoned drivers, it doesn't give
medicinal users a legal source, and it sure won't help our relationship
with the U.S.

In short, it's utterly hypocritical - just like Liberal policies on gun
control, health care, youth crime, tobacco ... none of which has cost them
votes yet. No wonder the PM is laughing.