Pubdate: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Sean Gordon, CanWest News Service Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) PM REJECTS CELLUCCI'S WARNING ON MARIJUANA But Tories Want Pot Bill 'Buried' OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Paul Martin is brushing aside warnings from U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci that a border crackdown will result if Canada decriminalizes marijuana. He said that Canada reserves the right to pass laws as it sees fit. "Firstly, the legislation is before the House of Commons, then the parliamentary committee will have its discussions on all the various points, and we'll wait to see the legislation that comes from that. But Canada will make its own laws, pure and simple," Martin said. Business groups have raised the alarm over the possible tie-ups resulting from more liberal marijuana laws, saying that even the current border morass costs Canadian businesses billions of dollars annually. It's estimated that $1.2 billion in goods and services travel across the border each day. The opposition Conservatives renewed calls to shelve the pot bill until trade disputes with the Bush administration over beef and softwood lumber exports are ironed out. "Why are we bringing it forward at a time when we have so many trade disputes with the United States," asked Tory justice critic Vic Toews. "I want assurances from the Americans that they're comfortable with [Canada's position]. We have not got that; they're telling us it's going to impact on our trade, and if it's going to impact on our trade, let's bury this bill." On Tuesday, Cellucci said he was perplexed by the timing of the pot bill. "Why, when we're trying to take pressure off the border, would Canada pass a law that would put pressure on the border," he asked. "If people think it's easier to get marijuana in Canada, then our people at the border are going to be on the lookout, and I think they will stop more vehicles, particularly vehicles driven by young people, whether they're citizens of Canada or the U.S." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin