cannabisnews.com: Canadian Deflects Drug-Plan Fears 





Canadian Deflects Drug-Plan Fears 
Posted by CN Staff on May 20, 2003 at 07:13:13 PT
By Paul Queary, The Associated Press
Source: Seattle Times
Olympia — Canada's immigration minister met with Gov. Gary Locke yesterday and downplayed the possibility that his country's plan to decriminalize marijuana could lead to a border crackdown by the United States. John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, has warned that such a Canadian move might prompt long border delays.
That's a concern for Washington and other border states, where millions of dollars in trade and tourism flow across the U.S.-Canada border every day. But Denis Coderre, Canada's minister of citizenship and immigration, predicted U.S. fears would be allayed as officials learn more about the plan. "We can agree to disagree sometimes, but we are the most natural allies and friends," he said. "Marijuana is illegal in our country. We're changing the penalties." The Canadian government is expected to introduce legislation soon that would replace jail terms and criminal records with small fines for possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana. U.S. officials fear the proposal, if passed, will result in more of the drug crossing the border. They say it will bring tighter security measures, more inspections and longer traffic tie-ups as well as disrupt daily trade between the countries. Locke said he and Coderre talked mostly about balancing border safety against the free flow of people and goods. Source: Seattle Times (WA)Author:  Paul Queary, The Associated PressPublished: Tuesday, May 20, 2003 Copyright: 2003 The Seattle Times CompanyContact: opinion seatimes.comWebsite: http://www.seattletimes.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmDon't Bully Canada, U.S. Told http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16336.shtmlCanadian Pot Legislation Could Snarl Border http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16334.shtmlBad Buzz?: U.S. Keeping Close Eye on Canada http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16313.shtml 
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