PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND NEW POT LAW

Users And Growers Of Small Amounts Would Not Face Criminal Prosecution

OTTAWA -- A special parliamentary committee will recommend tomorrow that
Ottawa decriminalize possession and cultivation of marijuana in amounts
less than 30 grams, The Globe and Mail has learned.

The recommendations, to be included in the report of the committee on
non-medical use of drugs, will add weight to the suggestion of Justice
Minister Martin Cauchon this week that Ottawa may move toward
decriminalization as early as the new year.

Sources told The Globe yesterday that the committee, which has been working
for 18 months, will recommend that users not receive a criminal record if
caught with less than 30 grams. Individuals would be allowed to cultivate
the same amount without criminal sanction.

Sources said the committee is not prepared to recommend how much to fine
those caught with minimal amounts of the drug. The report will underline
that trafficking in any amount will continue to be illegal.

However, the committee is not unanimous in its views: Canadian Alliance
members argue that 30 grams is too much. They note that the Netherlands,
one of the world's most liberalized countries with respect to cannabis, has
an upper limit of six grams. The Alliance wants the limit set at five grams.

Raf Souccar, a spokesman for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police,
said yesterday that the association supports "alternatives" like those put
forward by the committee, but insists that rehabilitation and other
measures must also be in place to discourage use.

The idea may get a rough ride later this week when U.S. drug czar John
Walters weighs in on the notion in Buffalo, N.Y. Mr. Walters is a known
opponent of the idea and has expressed concern about increased flow of
Canadian marijuana to the United States.

Mr. Cauchon yesterday said he isn't worried that moves to decriminalize
will strain bilateral relations. "There's a concern in our population with
regard to marijuana," he said, adding that the government will consider a
new drug strategy that would include more resources for enforcement. "As a
country we're going to keep fighting drug smuggling and drug trafficking."

Randy White, the Alliance vice-chairman of the committee, said U.S.
authorities are concerned both about decriminalization and the possession
limit.

"Thirty grams, according to decriminalization people, amounts to about 30
or 40 joints," he said. "People caught with 30 or 40 joints don't have it
for personal use. Those are the people standing in the school yard selling it."

Mr. White said 30 grams would be worth $50 to $80, an amount he considers
too high.

Mr. Cauchon's suggestions for decriminalization miffed Alliance MPs on the
committee, who felt upstaged by his remarks.

"I'm very frustrated Mr. Cauchon would preempt the report," Alliance MP
Kevin Sorenson said.

Mr. Sorenson said the government must take the U.S. government's strong
stance against illicit drugs into consideration when introducing
legislation to liberalize marijuana laws.

"They're our biggest trading partners," Mr. Sorenson said. "We have to move
cautiously on anything we do with legislation regarding illicit substances."

Mr. Sorenson, who supports most of the committee's recommendations, also
opposes the controversial suggestion that Canada open three safe injection
sites for heroin users in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver as pilot projects.

Ontario Premier Ernie Eves said yesterday the federal government is sending
up trial balloons to divert attention from massive overspending on the gun
registry and other federal scandals.

"If they wanted to change the channel, they certainly appear to have done
that," he said at Queen's Park.