PROVINCES COOL TO FEDERAL POT PLANS

Marijuana use remains a criminal-level concern in Alberta, says Justice
Minister David Hancock in the wake of a federal Justice Department plan to
decriminalize use.

"Our position has been consistent. We don't see any rationale behind
decriminalizing or legalizing," Hancock said.

"The police have indicated - and I certainly believe them - that it's a
starter drug and it's part of the organized crime scenario. By allowing it
any more latitude in our community we're really feeding organized crime and
the criminals who make a profit from it."

Nor is legalization of the supply appropriate to tackle that problem,
Hancock said. "People say it's no more harmful than alcohol or tobacco, but
we see the effects of alcohol and tobacco on society and we constantly are
trying to find ways to mitigate the disasters that come from those. So
that's not a good reason to make it more available."

Plans to decriminalize the use of marijuana also met with a decidedly
frosty response from Ontario and other provincial governments yesterday.

"I'm flabbergasted that the federal government has prioritized the
decriminalization of marijuana at this time," said Ontario 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."

But Ontario Health Minister Tony Clement jokingly suggested those on
Parliament Hill behind the move might be getting surreptitiously stoned.
"We'll check where that stash of medical marijuana went," Clement quipped.
"As health minister, I'm against people polluting their bodies in whatever
form that takes."

Any bill would depend in part on a Commons committee that studied the use
of non-medical drugs. The committee apparently plans to recommend tomorrow
that possession of pot should remain illegal but punishment should become a
fine rather than a criminal record.