TORY WANTS MPS TO BACK TOUGH DRUG SENTENCES

Growing support among MPs of different political stripes for tough
mandatory minimum sentences to deter marijuana grow operations could
lead to amendments to the Liberals' marijuana bill, predicts
Conservative justice critic Vic Toews.

The cannabis bill before the Commons justice committee for study would
double the maximum punishment for grow-ops with more than 50 plants,
increasing sentences from seven years to 14 years.

But Mr. Toews said the Conservatives will likely table amendments in
the committee in the coming weeks that would require judges to impose
a penalty of at least two years in prison.

He said he believes stiffening the penalties could garner support from
Bloc Quebecois MPs, because what he called the proven links between
organized crime and marijuana grow-ops.

"We do need acceptable mandatory minimums that other parties can also
live with, because that is key to the success of this," Mr. Toews said.

He noted the deaths of four RCMP officers last week on a farm near
Edmonton where marijuana was being cultivated prompted many MPs to
rethink whether mandatory penalties could deter drug-related crimes.

Outside the Commons, Justice Minister Irwin Cotler said he is open to
persuasion but for now he is sticking to his position that such
sentences are counterproductive.

He said minimum sentences lead to more plea bargaining and are often
treated as ceilings, rather than as floors, by trial judges.