ONE TOKE OVER LINE

Federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon gave the strongest indication
yesterday that Canada may decriminalize pot.

"If we're talking about that question of decriminalizing marijuana, we may
move ahead quickly as a government," Cauchon told reporters. "I don't like
to give you a date, or a time frame, but let's say the beginning of next
year, the four first months of next year."

He said a parliamentary committee's report, expected to be made public
Thursday, will affect the kind of law he'll bring down.

Sources familiar with the work of the committee said the move to
decriminalize marijuana would still make the possession of pot illegal, but
the punishment would be a fine rather than a criminal record.

Legal Over Age 16

In September, a Senate committee recommended that pot be legally available
for anyone over the age of 16.

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

The government's throne speech this fall promised changes to drug laws,
including "the possibility of the decriminalization of marijuana possession."

Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino said last night he's "not in favour of
a blanket broad-brush decriminalization. But (with small amounts) I'd say
why tie up the courts."

He said there should still be "consequences" for possession, including
fines or mandatory treatment.