Pubdate: Sun, 22 Sep 2002
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Dean Bee

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.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens