Feds hurrying marijuana bill - Provisions may change in bid to pass legislation quickly
By: Kathleen Harris - Ottawa Bureau, Toronto Sun (CN ON), 10/09/03

OTTAWA -- 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 possession of up to 15 grams of weed but imposes stiffer penalties on traffickers and large grow operations -- is being hurried because it's among priorities considered "key to society."

Today, it will be referred to a special committee of MPs that has already reviewed Canada's drug strategy instead of going to 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.

Amendments likely to come from the committee include reducing the 15-gram limit, establishing a penalty system for repeat offenders and cracking down harder on grow operations, which are often linked to organized crime.

Cauchon said he would like to put all bills before the House before the end of session, but he has to pick priorities. He would not say if the bill would be doomed under a Paul Martin administration.

But Liberal MP Dan McTeague, who is among the throng of backbenchers opposed to decriminalizing marijuana, called it 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," he said. "It's a sloppy, reckless way of approaching a serious piece of legislation for which there are more negatives ... than positives."

IMPAIRED DRIVING

Canadian Alliance MP Vic Toews said he's worried relaxing marijuana laws will lead to job losses because the U.S. could set up trade barriers. He is also critical of the bill's failure to address impaired driving by pot.

In a decision released Tuesday, the Ontario Court of Appeal ended a two-year period in which it was legal to possess personal amounts of marijuana.