Pubdate: Tue, 21 Oct 2003 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/TorontoSun/home.html Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457 Author: Kathleen Harris Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) POT AGENDA ILLEGAL: MP Planned Weed Laws Violate UN Treaty OTTAWA -- A Liberal MP says Canada will violate an international treaty if it moves ahead with plans to decriminalize pot. Ajax-Pickering MP Dan McTeague said representatives of the United Nations office on Drugs and Crime met with government officials last week to warn that Canada's proposed legislative changes would contravene a 1961 UN drug control convention. "It would represent a serious blow to the government," said McTeague. "It's always been keen to find ways to suggest those who are opposed to this are following U.S. policy. In fact, it's not U.S. policy, it's UN policy." The UN convention prohibits parties from permitting the possession of drugs, including cannabis, except for scientific or medicinal purposes. Canada risks being viewed as the "Colombia of the North" if it withdraws from the treaty, McTeague said. Justice Minister Martin Cauchon has referred the draft legislation to a special committee, which is expected to recommend changes before it faces a vote in the House of Commons. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom