MACKINTOSH PANS EFFORTS TO DECRIMINALIZE POT

The federal government is bypassing more pressing legal issues to tackle
the decriminalization of marijuana, Manitoba Attorney General Gord
Mackintosh charged yesterday.

Federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said Monday he expects the Liberal
government to move quickly on provisions to decriminalize pot, with
legislation to be introduced early in the new year.

Mackintosh, who has generally steered clear of the federal government's
efforts to modernize drug laws, said the decriminalization of pot isn't on
his agenda and he is reasonably happy with the law as it stands now.

"I have a fairly substantive and lengthy list of changes we would like to
see to federal laws," Mackintosh said. "That issue is not on the priority
list of the provincial government."

On Monday, a House of Commons standing committee released the first of two
reports on non-medical drugs, which recommended safe-injection facilities
for heroin addicts and needle-exchange programs. The second report is
expected to recommend Ottawa decriminalize the growing of pot for personal use.

The report is expected to recommend that possession of pot remain illegal
but those found guilty would be subject to a fine and not imprisonment.
Mackintosh said he does not believe decriminalizing pot is a priority for
Canada's justice ministers, who regularly lobby the federal government for
changes to criminal law.

For Manitoba, there are a number of more pressing criminal code changes
that should be made, Mackintosh said. These include increasing the age of
consent for sexual activity.

Mackintosh said if Cauchon follows through and introduces legislation, he
expects the provinces will be involved in some sort of consultation.

"If there are changes they are going to come up with, we will have to look
at it and decide whether the province should make representation," he said.