Pubdate: Thu, 15 May 2003
Source: Guelph Mercury (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Guelph Mercury Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.guelphmercury.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1418

MARIJUANA USE MAY RISE IF LIBERALS DECRIMINALIZE POT, HEALTH MINISTER WARNS

OTTAWA (CP) - Canada must be prepared for a potential increase in marijuana 
use, at least in the short run, if simple possession of pot is 
decriminalized, Health Minister Anne McLellan warned Wednesday.

McLellan made the comment as Justice Minister Martin Cauchon announced he 
will introduce a bill the last week of May to reform marijuana laws and 
decriminalize possession of small amounts of the drug. Reports from U.S. 
states that have dropped criminal sanctions indicate there is a spike in 
use immediately after the law is changed, McLellan said as she left a 
Liberal caucus meeting.

She added that use levels eventually drop back to normal but said it's 
important to be prepared.

"Certainly one has to be ready to deal with that spike," she said. "It can 
lead to addiction, it can lead to all sorts of situations within local 
communities. You need to be ready with information, with education, and 
with treatment."

But McLellan's contention was immediately questioned by Cauchon, who 
expressed doubt that putting an end to criminal sentences for simple 
possession would boost marijuana use.

"I don't believe that," said Cauchon, noting that an estimated 100,000 
Canadians already use pot.

Given that fact, he said, the government has to find a better legal 
framework to deal with the problem.

Cauchon's announcement that he will press ahead with the pot bill came a 
day after he travelled to Washington to brief U.S. Attorney General John 
Ashcroft on the government's plan to eliminate jail terms and criminal 
records for people convicted of possession of small amounts of pot.

Under the new regime they would receive fines, and the offence would be 
treated in much the same manner as a traffic violation.

However, the bill will also boost penalties for growers and traffickers. 
The government is also expected to announce new spending on drug 
prevention, education and treatment, all aimed at discouraging use, 
especially by young people.

Cauchon described his meeting with Ashcroft as "very cordial" but would not 
say how his U.S. counterpart reacted. Nor would he speculate on whether the 
concerns of the Bush administration about decriminalization have been fully 
laid to rest.

He bristled at suggestions that the purpose of his trip was to seek 
permission from Washington before going ahead.

"As minister of justice I will do what I think is good for the Canadian 
population," said Cauchon. "I believe the policy we will table will be good 
for Canada."

Government insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Cauchon made 
a number of points in his meeting with Ashcroft, among them that 
decriminalization does not mean outright legalization.

Cauchon also assured Ashcroft of continued Canadian co-operation in 
fighting the cross-border drug trade and organized crime.

But Liberal strategists were adamant that he outlined his plans merely as a 
courtesy, and was seeking neither U.S. approval nor suggestions on how to 
shape the Canadian legislation.

Cauchon told reporters that holding off on his bill for another two weeks 
will enable Ottawa to put together a broader package that will include 
increased spending on drug research, education and treatment.

McLellan, who is co-ordinating the wider strategy, said details of the 
funding are still being ironed out. But she indicated part of the new cash 
will go to the Solicitor General's Department to beef up police efforts 
against domestic growers of marijuana.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien dropped a reference to the marijuana 
legislation from a speech Wednesday night in Montreal but told reporters 
later: "It's coming, it's coming. Relax."

In Ottawa earlier, Liberal backbenchers were divided in their views.

MP Gary Pilletteri said he can't bring himself to support decriminalization.

Paul Martin, who is considered the frontrunner to succeed Chretien as 
Liberal leader, said in Montreal later Wednesday that "I don't think for a 
very, very small amount a young person should have a criminal record but I 
think there should be stiff fines."

Fellow backbencher Joe Fontana said in Ottawa he doesn't think young people 
should be saddled with criminal records for simple possession, but he 
reserved judgment until he sees details of the bill.

Meanwhile, one ordinary Canadian took matters into his own hands.

John Turmel, a self-described professional gambler and perennial fringe 
candidate who has run 54 unsuccessful campaigns for political office, 
showed up on Parliament Hill to light up a joint.

He then tried to take a duffle bag - which he said contained seven pounds 
of marijuana - into the Parliament Buildings, saying he wanted to deliver 
some to Chretien.

Turmel was arrested by the RCMP and charged with possession for purposes of 
trafficking. He said he will fight the case in court.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart