U.S. DRUG CZAR WARNS CANADA ON PLAN

Newsday (NY)

June 12, 2002

QUEBEC -- Canada should get tough on marijuana instead of decriminalizing the drug or allowing people to use it for medicinal purposes, U.S. drug policy chief John Walters said Wednesday.

"Canada's decision about how it handles this or other issues of regulated substance is its decision. We respect that," Walters told reporters during a two-day visit for an international meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.

But he made it clear the American government disagrees with recent moves in Canada to liberalize drug policies.

More than 250 Canadians have federal government clearance to smoke marijuana for medical reasons. Canada amended drug laws last year to allow patients with conditions such as HIV, cancer, and multiple sclerosis to use marijuana legally.

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