MPS LIGHT INTO GRITS' POT PLAN

Opponents Urge Delay In Decriminalization

Softening Canada's pot laws will be one more "irritant" to harm relations
with the U.S., opposition members charge.

Canadian Alliance Leader Stephen Harper urged the Liberal government to
postpone its plan to decriminalize marijuana yesterday, insisting more time
is needed to heal the wounds from Canada's stand on the Iraq war and a
series of anti-American comments.

"The Americans view the possession of 30 grams as potential trafficking,
and we share some of those concerns," he said.

'MORE DRUG ADDICTION'

Harper was reacting to Prime Minister Jean Chretien's announcement this
week that legislation to decriminalize possession of up to 30 grams of
marijuana will be tabled before the summer recess.

The Alliance supports decriminalization, but only for a small stash of up
to five grams.

John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control
Policy, said decriminalization made little sense and would not cut crime.

"When you make the penalties minimal you get more drug use, you get more
drug addiction, you get more drug production, you get more drug crime," he
told CBC television from Washington.

"It's your decision but I don't think the facts line up in a way that's
consistent or makes much sense, especially given the brutal history you've
watched right across the border here in the United States."

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon tried to allay concerns of a U.S. backlash
by stressing that decriminalization is part of an "overall policy" that
will include ramped-up prevention tactics and tough enforcement measures.

"The message we want to send is a much better and stronger message to the
fact that marijuana is illegal in Canada," he said. "It's the same in the
U.S., the same here."

Tory MP Peter MacKay worried easing pot laws will create more problems at
the border and sour relations with the U.S. He views the planned
legislation as an "ill-timed and poorly presented" plan to distract
attention from Liberal infighting and file-fumbling.

A CANOE/CNEWS online poll of over 5,000 readers yesterday found 69% in
favour of decriminalization, compared to 27% opposed.