Pubdate: Thu, 19 Dec 2002
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2002 The StarPhoenix
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Janice Tibbetts, Southam News
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

CHRETIEN MELLOWS ON POT RHETORIC

OTTAWA -- Jean Chretien retreated Wednesday from the government's plans to 
decriminalize marijuana by declaring that no final decision has been made.

The prime minister's position contradicts that of Justice Minister Martin 
Cauchon, who signalled last week that he intended to introduce legislation 
in the first four months of next year to wipe marijuana possession off the 
criminal record books.

Chretien, stressing that he has never tried pot, said the debate over 
decriminalization is ongoing and that the government will have to make a 
decision "one day."

The prime minister's spokesperson, Jim Munson, acknowledged that Cauchon 
"has made his intentions known," but cautioned that the justice minister's 
plans are not final.

"There will be a very vigorous debate," said Munson, who did not elaborate.

Chretien made his comments in a year-end interview with Global TV in which 
he went out of his way to say that he had never tried pot and he does not 
know what it is like to be high.

"I don't know what is the feeling," he said.

Cauchon, 40, has confessed to smoking marijuana in his youth and has made 
no secret of his belief that people caught with less than 30 grams -- about 
25 or 30 cigarettes -- should be fined rather than criminally charged.

He has been considering the prospect for six months and, until Wednesday, 
it appeared there was little standing in his way, particularly after a 
House of Commons committee recommended decriminalization last week.

Several marijuana enthusiasts predict that the government, which has 
promised decriminalization on and off over the last 30 years, will never act.

Cauchon is a strong Chretien loyalist and his boss's position could hamper 
attempts at a new marijuana law.

Some provincial justice ministers have questioned why Cauchon has chosen to 
tackle the divisive issue and critics have suggested any move to 
decriminalize marijuana would create difficulties with the United States 
and its tough approach to drugs.

Mike Murphy, a spokesperson for Cauchon, said that the justice minister's 
stated intentions do not conflict with Chretien's comments because the pot 
plan is still not "a done deal."

Murphy said there would be a lot of debate "in cabinet, in caucus, and in 
the public forum" before legislation is introduced.

But Murphy did not step back from Cauchon's suggestions that a new law is 
on its way.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager