Pubdate: Thu, 09 Oct 2003
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Kathleen Harris, Parliamentary Bureau

GRITS SMOKIN' AWAY ON POT PLAN

The federal government is fast-tracking its plan to decriminalize 
marijuana, but the controversial bill will get a major makeover in a bid to 
win over staunch opponents.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said the pot bill -- which decriminalizes 
15 grams of weed but imposes stiffer penalties on traffickers and large 
growing operations -- is being hurried because it's among government 
priorities that are "key to society."

Today, it will be referred to a special committee of MPs who have reviewed 
Canada's drug strategy, instead of being studied by a full parliamentary 
committee.

"Cannabis reform is an important reform, and we believe that proceeding 
with the special committee, they already have the experience and we may be 
able to proceed faster," Cauchon said.

Reduce Limit

Likely amendments to come from the special committee include reducing the 
15-gram limit, establishing a penalty system for repeat offenders and 
cracking down harder on marijuana-growing operations that are often linked 
to organized crime.

Cauchon would not say if the marijuana bill would be doomed under a Paul 
Martin administration.

Liberal MP Dan McTeague, who is among the throng of backbenchers opposed to 
decriminalizing marijuana, called the new tactic a "sneaky" way of rushing 
a dangerously flawed bill.

"It would appear time is running out, and they're trying to do this through 
the back door and to fast-track it," McTeague said.

"It's a sloppy, reckless way of approaching a serious piece of legislation 
for which there are more negatives to its proposals than positives."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman