CHRETIEN PUSHED POT LAW REFORMS IN 1981

OTTAWA (CP) -- Jean Chretien helped launch an initiative to radically
reform marijuana laws when he was justice minister in 1981, newly released
records show.

Cabinet documents from the government of then prime minister Pierre Trudeau
show Chretien pressed cabinet to lower fines, reduce jail sentences and
eliminate the criminal records of Canadians convicted of possessing small
amounts of marijuana.

Chretien also tabled a discussion paper at cabinet that, among other
things, raised the possibility of legalizing marijuana.

"Legalization and any regulation of cannabis production, distribution and
use would likely reduce some of the adverse consequences of using the
criminal law in this area," says the Jan. 23, 1981, paper.

"Because the conduct would be legal there would be no offences, no criminal
records and no stigmatization. As well, there would be a significant
reduction of an illicit market, which obliges people to engage in criminal
activities or deal with criminal types in order to supply themselves with
cannabis."

Documents detailing the reform proposals, which were never put into effect,
were obtained under the Access to Information Act. The law permits
disclosure of cabinet records after 20 years.

Between January and July 1981, Chretien joined Robert Kaplan and Monique
Begin -- the solicitor general and health minister -- in trying to persuade
cabinet colleagues to lighten the fines and prison terms for simple
possession of marijuana. The proposals would also curb police powers and
provide pardons to those convicted under the previous, harsher law.

Full legalization, although briefly considered, was ultimately rejected
partly because "there is little doubt . . . that legalized distribution
would likely result in the increased use of cannabis by Canadians thereby
increasing the health and safety hazards."

More than two decades later, the torch has passed to Prime Minister Jean
Chretien's own justice minister, who is considering the decriminalization
of marijuana.

Martin Cauchon said this summer there is "strong support" among Canadians
for a new legal regime that would drop penalties against people who possess
and use small quantities of the drug.

Earlier this month, a Senate committee called on the government to legalize
and regulate the production and sale of marijuana and to erase the criminal
records of those already convicted of simple possession.