ONTARIO BOILING OVER POT PLANS

TORONTO -- Federal Justice Department plans to decriminalize the use of
marijuana were met with a frosty response from the Ontario government
yesterday.

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

Police chiefs have also advocated for decriminalization but Young said
officers on the beat aren't in favour.

Ottawa should spend its energies on ending "the weak-kneed" young offender
legislation and scrapping mandatory parole laws that see criminals leave
jail after two-thirds of their sentences, he said.