CHReTIEN READY TO EASE POT POSSESSION LAW

Applause Greets Promise To Youth

`We're Not Legalizing It'

OTTAWA -- Calling his government "activist" and "not afraid to take on
controversial issues," Prime Minister Jean Chretien cast a nod at youth last
night and vowed that marijuana would soon be decriminalized.

It was the first public pronouncement from Chretien that possessing small
quantities of marijuana would be decriminalized in Canada.

"We will soon introduce legislation to decriminalize possession of small
amounts of marijuana," he told a Liberal party fundraiser. Amid applause, he
quipped, "Don't start to smoke it right away! We're not legalizing it."

Chretien said that, in his youth, marijuana wasn't known. "I never tasted
it." But he smoked cigarettes, when his father told him not to. "When he
gave me permission at 16, I stopped."

Youth today are charged criminally for possession of marijuana.

"Some might have a criminal record that will be a shadow over his (her) life
for years to come," the Prime Minister said. That makes decriminalization
important so "young people do not have unnecessary criminal records for the
rest of their lives."

Chretien was speaking to 1,000 Liberal supporters, MPs, senators and
corporate tables at the $500 a plate annual Maple Leaf Dinner in the
capital.

He could barely begin speaking after being moved by a specially prepared
"legacy" video, highlighting his 40-year political career, set to Frank
Sinatra's crooning, "I did it my way."

Chretien glowingly paraded his government's record since last fall's throne
speech, implementing, he noted, the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse
gases and the new $34.8 billion health accord with the provinces. He said
the February budget was the most activist social policy budget since
Liberals took office in 1993.

Perhaps his most activist measure will be the easing of Canada's pot laws.

For months, Justice Minister Martin Cauchon has hinted the government would
bring in legislation to remove the criminal stigma from personal possession.
The bill is expected in June.

Chretien indicated last night the system he favours is one where possession
becomes a simple ticketing offence.

The bill would be accompanied by more resources to combat drug trafficking.

As far back as 30 years ago, when Chretien was in Pierre Trudeau's cabinet,
the Le Dain commission urged liberalization of marijuana laws. Chretien gave
no indication of concern that such law might further chill Canada-U.S.
relations.

President George W. Bush's drug czar John Walters has blamed Canadian
growers and smugglers for the high-strength pot on U.S. streets. But the
Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Chiefs of Police support
decriminalization.