SMOKE SIGNALS

Grits To Push For Decriminalization Of Pot: PM

OTTAWA -- Jean Chretien may never have smoked a joint, but he's determined
to amend federal law so young people who do toke up won't be haunted by a
criminal record for the rest of their lives.

The prime minister drew applause - and a few whoops of joy - when he told a
Liberal fund-raising dinner last night to expect legislation soon.

"Don't start to smoke yet," he quickly cautioned the celebrants in the
audience.

"We're not legalizing it, we're decriminalizing."

The distinction is important.

"I never smoked in my life - yes, I smoked cigarettes when I was a kid when
my father didn't want me to smoke," said the PM. "When he gave me the
permission at 16, I stopped. Marijuana was not known, so I never asked him
permission (to smoke it)."

The new pot law and an anti-drug strategy will be unveiled in the next few
weeks, he said. "We will soon introduce legislation to decriminalize
possession of small amounts of marijuana so that young people do not have
unnecessary criminal records for the rest of their lives," Chretien said.

"At the same time we will have a drug strategy to discourage young people
from using drugs, and which will target drug traffickers."

The PM also said controversial new rules banning all corporate donations to
political parties, and putting a $1,000 limit on other donations, will be
dealt with before the Commons recesses for the summer.

The new bill will also increase the amount of taxpayer dollars used to fund
political parties. "I know that political party finance reform is
controversial, but we are not afraid to take on controversial issues,"
Chretien said. "It is the right thing to do."