Pubdate: Thu,  8 Nov 2001
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2001, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

MAJORITY OF HOUSE FAVOURS POT BILL, ALLIANCE MP SAYS

OTTAWA -- Canadian Alliance MP Keith Martin says a majority of federal 
politicians, including Liberals, support his private-members bill calling 
for the decriminalization of marijuana.

"I think the government will be open to it," Dr. Martin, a physician, said 
before MPs began debating the bill yesterday.

Bill C-344 would impose a system of fines -- up to $1,000 -- rather than 
criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of pot.

Last month, the federal government said it will allow an open vote on the 
subject, which will take place at a later date. However, private-members 
bills rarely pass in the House of Commons.

Dr. Martin said about two-thirds of MPs have expressed support for his 
bill, and recent polls have shown a wide majority of Canadians also want 
decriminalization.

He said he expects many open minds on the Liberal benches, especially since 
the federal government approved the use of medicinal marijuana this year.

Both Justice Minister Anne McLellan and Health Minister Allan Rock have 
said it's time to discuss whether Canada's drug laws are outdated.

Other countries that have adopted a similar strategy have not seen drug use 
increase, Dr. Martin said, and have been able to redeploy police resources 
to fight crime in other areas.
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