POT DECRIMINALIZATION GETS FROSTY RESPONSE

TORONTO (CP) -- Federal Justice Department plans to decriminalize the use
of marijuana were met with a decidedly frosty response from Ontario and
other provincial governments Tuesday.

"I'm flabbergasted that the federal government has prioritized the
decriminalization of marijuana at this time," said provincial Attorney
General David Young.

"It is not a priority for this government."

On Monday, federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said Ottawa wanted to
move quickly on the issue and could bring in legislation early in the new
year to decriminalize pot use.

Police chiefs across the country have also advocated for decriminalization
but Young, who admitted to "one youthful indiscretion" when it comes to
pot, said officers on the beat aren't in favour.

"I stand with organized, front-line police officers across this country who
say that this is a serious problem, who say that revenues from marijuana go
to organized crime to finance other criminal endeavours."

Young also noted that justice ministers across the country -- especially in
British Columbia -- have expressed concerns about the increased sale of pot
and the proliferation of illegal grow houses to produce it.

A Commons committee that studied the use of non-medical drugs apparently
plans to recommend tomorrow that possession of pot should remain illegal
but punishment should become a fine rather than a criminal record.

In September, a Senate committee said marijuana should be legalized for use
by anybody over the age of 16.

The committee found that moderate use of the drug poses no serious
long-term dangers for adults and could be sold under controlled
circumstances like liquor or in drugstores.

Ontario Premier Ernie Eves, who has admitted to smoking pot in his salad
days, suggested the feds were floating a trial balloon but joked it was an
"interesting revenue producing measure."