Pubdate: Tue, 13 May 2003 Source: Detroit Free Press (MI) Copyright: 2003 Detroit Free Press Contact: http://www.freep.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) ASHCROFT TO GET DETAILS OF CANADA'S POT PLAN OTTAWA -( REUTERS)- Justice Minister Martin Cauchon will present his controversial plan to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft today. Cauchon is expected to introduce his marijuana legislation this month despite warnings from the Bush administration that it could force the United States to tighten its border with Canada. U.S. officials had expressed concern about the volume of Canadian marijuana shipments entering the country, and they are concerned the softer laws would mean an increase. Cauchon is expected to stress to Ashcroft that marijuana will remain illegal, even if no longer criminal, and that Canada will toughen penalties substantially for marijuana-growing operations, Canadian officials said Monday. The legislation is designed to ensure no one gets a criminal record for having small amounts of the drug. Jail terms would likely be replaced by fines. Cauchon says 100,000 of Canada's 30 million people use marijuana on a daily basis, and the current law is unevenly enforced. He described the plan briefly to Ashcroft last week in Paris at a meeting of justice ministers of the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations, but today's meeting will give a fuller explanation. The Canadian Police Association wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Jean Chretien last week voicing concern about the plan. Foremost among the concerns was the lack of legislation and tools to deal with drivers who are impaired by drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk