Pubdate: Wed, 07 May 2003 Source: Associated Press (Wire) Copyright: 2003 Associated Press OLYMPIC CHAMP REBAGLIATI SUPPORTS EASING MARIJUANA LAWS TORONTO -- Marijuana has been part of Ross Rebagliati's public image since he won an Olympic gold medal in snowboarding, so it was no surprise Wednesday when he supported government plans to decriminalize it. "It's becoming more socially accepted now than it ever had been in the past," Rebagliati said of marijuana while promoting Vancouver's bid to host the 2010 Games. "I think right now it's almost the sign of the times." Rebagliati was initially stripped of his snowboarding gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Games after testing positive for marijuana. The medal was reinstated on appeal. At the time, Rebagliati said he had avoided smoking pot for almost a year and was a victim of secondhand smoke at a party. Now, Prime Minister Jean Chretien is promising a bill to make possession of small amounts of marijuana like a traffic offense, punishable by a fine with no criminal record. "It's up to the politicians to decide still," 31-year-old Rebagliati said. "It's something that comes up. It's not every day that you hear the prime minister talking about decriminalization." Rebagliati said his association with smoking pot has caused difficulties. He requires special permission to travel to the United States, which has a zero-tolerance drug policy. He also worried he would face problems if he tried to travel to Europe. "They use the same computer files and information," he said. "It's a big problem actually. I can't compete in snowboarding anymore because I can't get down to the States." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth