Pubdate: Fri, 02 May 2003 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.fyitoronto.com/torsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457 Author: Bill Rodgers, Ottawa Bureau Chief ALERT: Please Support Canadian Cannabis Law Reform With LTEs Now! http://www.mapinc.org/alert/0265.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) BORDER HASSLES PREDICTED OTTAWA -- Softer Canadian laws on pot possession for personal use could cause longer lineups at the border, the U.S. ambassador to Canada warned yesterday. Paul Cellucci said it's an "internal decision" for Canada to make, but in an interview with Sun Media, he added, "The only concern we have is (if it will) have an impact on the border because we're trying to make sure that we take pressure off the border." The ambassador noted that U.S. customs and immigration officers are there to enforce the law. "If you're a law-enforcement officer and if you think that something is more readily available here, your antennae are going to be up as people cross the border and it will probably lead to more inspections," Cellucci said. U.S. officials began expressing concerns this week when Prime Minister Jean Chretien said legislation to decriminalize simple possession of small amounts of grass for personal use would be introduced soon. "I'm sure this is one that the (U.S.) drug czar Mr. (John) Walters is concerned about because that's his job," Cellucci said. "His job is to try to make sure we don't have people using illegal drugs and getting addicted to drugs." Justice Minister Martin Cauchon has told Sun Media he intends to introduce legislation before the summer recess, to ease pot laws. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake