POT BILL TO STAY AS IS, SAY MPS

OTTAWA -- The federal government won't change itgs pot bill, despite Prime
Minister Paul Martin's musings about toughening the Chretien government's
proposals.

The amount of pot 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.

Liberal MP Paddy Torsney, who chaired an all-party committee that studied
the proposed legislation, said Martin has assured her that he accepts the
bill as is.

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

"There's no point in trying to gut the bill, or maim it, or hobble it,"
said Lee. "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."

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

The bill is expected to be debated in the Commons next week.