cannabisnews.com: Chretien Tries To Soothe U.S. Fears Over Pot





Chretien Tries To Soothe U.S. Fears Over Pot
Posted by CN Staff on May 13, 2003 at 13:39:20 PT
By Jim Brown
Source: Canadian Press 
Ottawa - Prime Minister Jean Chretien tried to allay U.S. fears over marijuana decriminalization Tuesday, insisting it doesn't mean Canada is slacking off on enforcement efforts against the illegal drug trade. "We're modernizing the sentences for marijuana," Chretien said outside a cabinet meeting. "It's not legal, we will not make it legal. The sentences will be different, they will be tougher for the growers, the traffickers, and less tough for the people who use it in small quantities." 
Chretien spoke as Justice Minister Martin Cauchon was about to leave for Washington to brief his U.S. counterpart, Attorney General John Ashcroft, on the government's aims. The Liberals are expected to bring in legislation by next week that would make possession of 15 grams or less of pot a minor offence, something like a traffic violation. Jails terms and criminal records for such offences would be eliminated and fines - possibly as little as $100 - would be imposed instead. But government strategists say Cauchon will move at the same time to boost penalties for growers and traffickers. The government is also widely expected to announce new spending on drug prevention, education and treatment, all aimed at discouraging use, especially be young people. Some officials in the Bush administration have expressed concern that the changes could result in more pot crossing the U.S. border. Paul Cellucci, the American ambassador to Ottawa, has warned there may be longer lineups at border points as customs officers check for drugs. Chretien suggested the U.S. fears are largely a matter of perception that he and Cauchon want to counter. Several U.S. states have already decriminalized simple possession, the prime minister noted, and Canada wants to make it clear its own move in that direction won't mean outright legalization. "It is important to communicate when people ask questions," said Chretien. Cauchon echoed that view, saying decriminalization of simple possession has to be seen in the context of wider federal efforts to combat trafficking and educate the public about the dangers of drug use. The justice minister said his message to Washington would be that "the two countries are working exactly in the same direction . . . maintaining the illegality of drug use in our countries." There is already some evidence the Liberal policy has been affected by the criticism from south of the border. The 15-gram limit for non-criminal possession is half the 30 grams recommended by a Commons committee and a far cry from the flat legalization urged by a Senate committee. The lower limit is believed to have been adopted in part because new strains of more potent pot make it easier to get higher on smaller doses. American officials have been particularly worried about so-called B.C. bud, a Canadian-grown product that has been finding its way into the United States. Complete Title: Chretien Tries To Soothe U.S. Fears Over Decriminalization of PotSource: Canadian Press Author: Jim BrownPublished: Tuesday, May 13, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Canadian PressRelated Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmCauchon To Brief U.S. on Pot Law Changes http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16278.shtmlCauchon Brushes Off Pot Concerns http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16277.shtmlOttawa's Marijuana Plan Irks US http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16241.shtml
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