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. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens