GRASS SPARKS A GROWING RIFT

Visions Of Forsyth, Feds And Klein Differ

EDMONTON -- Alberta's top cop is "totally opposed" to a federal Liberal plan
to decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot.

Solicitor General Heather Forsyth said yesterday marijuana use eventually
leads to the intake of harsher illegal drugs such as cocaine or heroin.

"Let's be very clear here -- marijuana is a gateway drug," she said.

"We have huge grow operations in this province and B.C. we're trying to deal
with -- and I think to take it just one step defeats everything, so I am
totally opposed to it. Period."

Premier Ralph Klein said he supports medicinal use of marijuana and will ask
Tory MLAs their thoughts on the proposal that was floated by Prime Minister
Jean Chretien on Tuesday.

"It's worthwhile (raising the topic at caucus) because, you know, there are
strong feelings one way or the other," Klein said.

"It does have some medicinal benefits."

Chretien announced an amended pot law and an anti-drug strategy will be
unveiled in the next few weeks.

He stressed the government is not legalizing pot possession, but rather
decriminalizing it so an offender will be given a fine similar to a traffic
ticket rather than a mandatory court appearance and a criminal record, if
convicted.

The new legislation would also crack down on trafficking.

Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier predicted easing the laws on marijuana
possession wouldn't see city streets swamped with mind-altering drugs.

"Even if this particular substance is decriminalized, the city police drug
unit will continue to act against drugs," said Bronconnier, who wasn't sure
how the move would ultimately impact the police work load.

"If this particular law is off the books, then it's one less law police will
enforce."

A city police drug unit officer wasn't pleased with the federal move, saying
it would eliminate deterrents to marijuana use, such as a criminal record
making travel difficult.

"That's the only thing a criminal record (for possession) is good for," said
Det. Rob Atkinson.

Decriminalization, he added, trivializes the dangers posed by marijuana.

"Anything that has an addictive quality that has young people going for
help, we shouldn't treat lightly," said Atkinson.