U.S. MARIJUANA FUGITIVES ASK FOR REFUGE IN CANADA

Vancouver, British Columbia --- In the 1960s, American draft dodgers fled
to Canada rather than fight in Vietnam. Some turned to planting marijuana
seeds to make a living and spurred an underground industry that now booms
across British Columbia.

Over the last year or so, a new generation of Americans has flocked into
western Canada, fleeing the Bush administration's crackdown on the clubs
that say they provide marijuana to sick people, particularly in California.

A handful who face drug charges and convictions back home have applied for
political asylum. Hundreds more American marijuana smokers live underground
existences here, marijuana advocates say.

Canada is in the awkward position in which it either must stand up to the
United States --- and encourage more refugees and asylum applications ---
or evict people who say they suffer from cancer and other deadly diseases.

While marijuana is illegal in both countries, Canada has been far more
tolerant of its use for medical purposes.

Most of the Americans do not face charges at home, marijuana advocates say,
but came here because they can get the drug more cheaply and easily since
the American clubs were shut down. "Compassion clubs" thrive in several
Canadian communities to serve what they say are medical needs of severe
pain sufferers.

"The number of Americans coming and intending to stay has skyrocketed,"
said Marc Emery, president of the B.C. Marijuana Party, who provides legal
aid to the Americans. He said recent arrivals number "in the hundreds."

Some work on farms, living a countercultural life not very different from
that of the previous generation of American refugees. Others live on the
street or move from couch to couch in homes of Canadian marijuana users.
Some have gone into businesses like herbal medicine stores or work in
marijuana cultivation.

To Bush administration officials, the American fugitives are simply
lawbreakers.

"It's regrettable that people who are charged with criminal offenses in the
United States don't face justice here and put a burden on another country,"
said John Walters, President Bush's drug chief.

He said there is no evidence that smoking marijuana is an effective
medicine and claimed that the agenda of many who argue for medicinal
marijuana is to legalize drugs.

Attorney General John Ashcroft and the Drug Enforcement Administration have
stiffened enforcement against marijuana clubs that sprang up in California
after voters approved making marijuana legal for treating some sick people.

Canada's Justice Ministry won't discuss refugee cases. To grant asylum,
Canada would have to determine that the Americans would face unwarranted
persecution at home.

The cases come as Canada is discussing whether to decriminalize marijuana,
with many arguing that U.S. attitudes are overly restrictive. On Sept. 4, a
Canadian Senate panel backed legalizing use for people over 16.