JUSTICE MINISTER SUGGESTS BREAK FOR POT SMOKERS

(TNS) Canada may follow Britain's lead in decriminalizing marijuana use by
making simple possession of small amounts of pot a ticketing offence, said
Justice Minister Martin Cauchon.

"We're not talking about making it legal. We're talking about the
possibility of moving ahead with what we call the decriminalization of
that," said Cauchon.

"It would still be illegal. It wouldn't be criminal, of course; but it
would still be illegal. (The law would be) easier to apply. You would get a
contravention (ticket) and you would have to pay something. I guess we
would be maybe more effective, more efficient in proceeding that way," he
said, in response to reporters' questions after a cabinet committee meeting
here.

In one of the strongest statements by a minister of this government,
Cauchon expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the current laws.

He noted the law makes drug possession a crime, and results in a criminal
record - sometimes jail - for convicted persons.

Criminal records can often lead to a person being barred from professional
certification, or from travel to the U.S.

"Very often the legislation will simply not be applied," depending on where
you live across Canada, said Cauchon.

Last week, Britain relaxed its laws on cannabis use, making it a
non-arrestable offence, meaning pot-smokers may be merely issued a police
warning. But the government said it would re-focus enforcement efforts on
harder drugs and trafficking.

Before introducing any new legislation, Cauchon said he wants to hear from
the two committees, a Senate committee and a Commons committee, now looking
at the status of Canada's cannabis laws.

Any change would require a lengthy period of public consultation
beforehand, he added.

But already Pierre-Claude Nolin, chair of the Senate committee, has
criticized the idea of fines as an impractical idea, which puts an unfair
burden on the poor and young people who are often the subject of charges.

Cauchon said yesterday there are many legislative models to look at other
than Britain's, but did not go into detail.

"If you look at the system that we have in place, keeping it criminal, it
seems that it's not very efficient," said Cauchon.

"So maybe we can find a way to keep it illegal and be more constructive,
more efficient, more effective as well. And find a way with programs to
help those people that are using such a substance."

He said any legislative changes would not mean abandoning the fight against
drug trafficking, adding distribution networks are "highly criminal, as we
all know."