MAJORITY OF HOUSE FAVOURS POT BILL, ALLIANCE MP SAYS

OTTAWA -- Canadian Alliance MP Keith Martin says a majority of federal
politicians, including Liberals, support his private-members bill calling
for the decriminalization of marijuana.

"I think the government will be open to it," Dr. Martin, a physician, said
before MPs began debating the bill yesterday.

Bill C-344 would impose a system of fines -- up to $1,000 -- rather than
criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of pot.

Last month, the federal government said it will allow an open vote on the
subject, which will take place at a later date. However, private-members
bills rarely pass in the House of Commons.

Dr. Martin said about two-thirds of MPs have expressed support for his
bill, and recent polls have shown a wide majority of Canadians also want
decriminalization.

He said he expects many open minds on the Liberal benches, especially since
the federal government approved the use of medicinal marijuana this year.

Both Justice Minister Anne McLellan and Health Minister Allan Rock have
said it's time to discuss whether Canada's drug laws are outdated.

Other countries that have adopted a similar strategy have not seen drug use
increase, Dr. Martin said, and have been able to redeploy police resources
to fight crime in other areas.