Pubdate: Sat, 21 Jun 2003
Source: The Dominion Post (WV)
Copyright: 2003 The Dominion Post
Contact:  http://www.dominionpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1426

MARIJUANA LAW IN CANADA COULD BRING PROBLEMS

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. officials, already concerned about illegal drugs 
coming across the Canadian border, are warning that a Canadian plan to 
decriminalize marijuana use could lead to more inspections and long border 
delays.

''We don't want the northern border to be a trafficking route for drugs,'' 
said Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary for border and transportation security 
for the Department of Homeland Security.

Hutchinson and other U.S. officials say the Canadian proposal is especially 
troublesome, considering how drug seizures along the vast northern border 
soared following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks -- in part because 
of heightened security. The amount of marijuana seized from Canada 
quadrupled in the year after the attacks.

If Canada approves a plan to decriminalize marijuana for personal use, U.S. 
officials fear drug smuggling could spike, further burdening the justice 
system and hindering trade. More vehicles may be stopped and searched at 
checkpoints along the 4,000-mile border, slowing movement of the $1 billion 
worth of goods traded between the two countries each day.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart