CANADA'S POT BILL COULD HURT TRADE

OTTAWA -(Reuters)- The United States is ready to sacrifice the free flow of
trade with Canada to respond to a planned Canadian decriminalization of
marijuana, a U.S. official warned.

"We would have to respond obviously to the integrity of our border,"
assistant U.S. drug czar David Murray said Friday, suggesting the
possibility of backups at crossings.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien said this week he would introduce legislation
next month to ease some pot laws.

Said Murray: "Eighty-five percent of Canada's exports go into the United
States. That trade is mutually beneficial, but we might have to make
sacrifices for the integrity of the border . . . "