MARTIN WON'T TOUGHEN BILL ON MARIJUANA

PM To Let Chretien Proposal Stand Despite Earlier Comments: Key MP

The federal government is backing away from changing the marijuana bill,
despite Prime Minister Paul Martin's musings about toughening the Chretien
government's proposals.

The amount of marijuana possession that would be decriminalized will stay at
15 grams instead of being lowered, and there will be no extra penalties for
repeat offenders or traffickers, say Liberal MPs familiar with the federal
bill.

Liberal MP Paddy Torsney, who chaired an all-party committee that studied
the proposed legislation under the Chretien government, said Mr. Martin has
assured her that he accepts the bill as it is. "I don't believe it's the
government's intention to put forward any amendments," she said.

Going over the committee's head to change the bill would break Mr. Martin's
commitment to give backbench MPs more power, added Liberal Derek Lee,
another committee member.

"I believe the government accepts the product that came from the committee,"
said Mr. Lee. "There's no point in trying to gut the bill, or maim it, or
hobble it. If the goal is diversion from the criminal court, then let's get
some diversion. You want to get reasonable amounts that are not seen to be
big trafficking amounts."

The Liberal-dominated committee voted late last year to accept the Chretien
government's cutoff of 15 grams as the amount of marijuana that would merit
a fine rather than criminal charges.

Police say that's the equivalent of about 15 cigarettes, depending on how
they're rolled.

When Mr. Martin pledged before Christmas to revive his predecessor's
controversial bill, he hinted broadly that changes were in store, garnering
praise from White House drug official John Walters that the PM was making
overtures to mend the troubled relationship between the two countries.

"I think one's got to take a look at the fines, I think one has to take a
look at the quantities, and I think there has to be a larger effort against
the grow-ops and those who distribute it," Mr. Martin said in December.

Also, while campaigning for his job, Mr. Martin said he was in favour of
decriminalization of "very, very, very small amounts."

While Mr. Martin also speculated about harsher punishment for grow
operations, his government will retain the Chretien government's proposal to
double the maximum penalties. Advocates of harsher sanctions want mandatory
minimum sentences imposed on drug traffickers.

"Judges already won't give the amounts set by law," said Conservative MP
Randy White, another committee member.

Government officials speculate the prime minister is too preoccupied with
the sponsorship scandal to turn his attention to the marijuana bill and
Justice Minister Irwin Cotler is against changes.

The bill is expected to be debated in the Commons as early as Friday but
more likely next week. It could reach a final vote in the next few weeks,
before being sent to the Senate for vetting. The government earlier hinted
changes would be made at the time the bill was debated in the Commons. It
remains unclear whether the bill will pass if Mr. Martin decides to go to
the polls this spring.

The Senate, in a report 18 months ago, recommended marijuana legalization,
so the bill could stall in its final stages.

Police, who oppose decriminalization, have been hopeful the Martin Liberals
would decide on a cutoff of five grams or less, based on the prime
minister's earlier comments.

Mr. Lee said the government already made a concession to police by backing
away from initial plans to decriminalize 30 grams or less.

The bill, in its re-incarnated form, includes a couple of amendments that
were recommended by the Commons committee before the government adjourned
last fall.

There would be a prohibition of police sharing information with the U.S. or
other foreign governments or agencies on Canadians who received marijuana
tickets.

The revived bill was also amended to decriminalize cultivating marijuana if
it's less than four plants, making it an offence punishable with a ticket
rather than a criminal record.