SMOKE RISES OVER POT PLAN

Ontario Tories Slam Feds' Push To Legalize

The federal justice minister's apparent plan to decriminalize marijuana has
Ontario's governing Tories wondering what the feds are smoking in Ottawa.

"We'll check to see where all that experimental marijuana went," joked
Ontario Health Minister Tony Clement.

Premier Ernie Eves, Clement, Ontario Attorney General David Young and other
government members roundly criticized any plan to decriminalize pot
yesterday as a step in the wrong direction.

Eves doubted the federal Liberals are as serious as Justice Minister Martin
Cauchon suggested, however.

"They seem to come out with trial balloons on a regular basis, so we have
to see what they really come out with," Eves said. "I find it difficult to
believe they're actually suggesting this."

Young said loosening laws only aids organized crime, such as biker gangs
that profit from the marijuana trade.

"I don't think the answer ... is to throw in the towel and accept that drug
use across the country should be promoted," Young said. "I think the way to
deal with this crime is to acknowledge it as a crime."

The conjecture on loosening marijuana laws comes as a House of Commons
committee on illegal drugs prepares a report of recommendations due
tomorrow. It also comes shortly after the committee recommended setting up
safe-injection sites for heroin users in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.

Clement said both ideas run contrary to promoting healthier lifestyles.

"This is another type of pollution of one's body, quite frankly, and if we
want to concern ourselves with health and wellness, this seems to be going
the other direction."