CHRETIEN SOUGHT LIBERAL POT LAWS, PAPERS SHOW

Candian Press -- 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 that 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.

No Stigma

"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 the
disclosure of cabinet records only after 20 years have passed.

Between January and July of 1981, Chretien joined Robert Kaplan and Monique
Begin -- the solicitor general and health minister -- in the push for more
liberal marijuana laws.