Pubdate: Tue, 09 Nov 1999 Source: Australian Associated Press (Australia) Copyright: 1999 Australian Associated Press BRACKS STILL WANTS TO DECRIMINALISE MARIJUANA MELBOURNE - Victorian Premier Steve Bracks today reaffirmed his desire to decriminalise possession of small amounts of marijuana in his first four years in office. Bracks tangled with John Howard over his plan last week when the prime minister attacked it for sending the wrong message and running counter to society's growing distaste for cigarette smoking. Bracks described that criticism as glib today and said decriminalisation was a low priority for the government. "It is something we are committed to, but if there is further evidence or advice which comes in I'll be certainly taking that into account," Bracks said on radio 3AW. Bracks said he would like to be a drugs prohibitionist but had come to realise the issue should be treated as a medical one. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D