Canada's new Conservative government won't be introducing a marijuana decriminalization plan proposed by the previous Liberal administration, CTV reported April 3.

Recently elected Prime Minister Stephen Harper detailed a tough new crime policy that included a repudiation of the marijuana plan. He told the Canadian Professional Police Association that he also supports tougher sentences for drug and gun crimes.

"We are going to hold criminals to account," said Harper. "This government will send a strong message to criminals: if you do a serious crime, you're going to start doing serious time."

Police groups opposed the plan to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, and the plan also drew fire from the Bush administration. "I think there's enormous pressure from the United States and I think Stephen Harper wants to mend fences with George Bush, and is quite willing to give up this issue," said Alan Young, a Canadian law professor and legalization activist.