LIBERALS TRY AGAIN TO SOFTEN MARIJUANA LAW

OTTAWA -- The federal Liberal government embarked Monday on its third
attempt in the last year to decriminalize marijuana and its second try
at a law to force drug-impaired driving suspects to surrender blood
and saliva samples.

Justice Minister Irwin Cotler revived the companion bills after they
died when the federal election was called last summer.

The reincarnated versions are virtually identical to their
predecessors, sparking the same criticism as the earlier efforts.

On the marijuana front, Parliament will now start all over again on an
issue that has been debated in the federal ranks for more than 30 years.

"We want to decriminalize marijuana use for those who have small
amounts in order that young people, in particular, not have a criminal
record with all the adverse fallout that that means," said Cotler.

The bill decriminalizes possession of less than 15 grams of pot or
fewer than four plants, making the offences punishable with fines
rather than criminal charges. The proposal also calls for harsher
penalties against marijuana grow-ops by doubling maximum prison terms
to 14 years from the current seven.

The marijuana bill is a Chretien-era initiative and there has been
criticism that the Martin government lacks the political will for the
legislation to pass, after a failed revival effort last spring.

The Conservatives oppose decriminalization of more than five grams,
but the Bloc Quebecois and the NDP are mainly supportive, suggesting
the bill should have little trouble passing unless there is a revolt
within the Liberal backbenches.

The bill remains an irritant in the U.S., which took another shot at
Canada earlier this fall in a White House report that warned that soft
marijuana sanctions are an "invitation" for organized crime. "How does
this government guarantee us there won't be retaliatory action by the
Americans?" asked Conservative justice critic Vic Toews.

"I'm very concerned they are going ahead on this without taking into
concern the real impact that this will have on trade."

Critics also say the government should be imposing minimum sentences
for growing operations rather than increasing the maximum penalties.

The drug-impaired driving bill is a more recent Martin measure that
was first introduced shortly before the June 28 election was called.

The government is proposing a fine of $600 for failure to comply with
a battery of roadside tests and a further police station probe that
would include surrendering blood and saliva samples.