PM Open to Easing of Pot Law

To reintroduce bill, stiffen sanctions. Move could still strain
relations with U.S.; PM also opposes death for Saddam Hussein

Prime Minister Paul Martin has pledged to revive the government's
moribund marijuana legislation early in the new year, but it may bear
only a passing resemblance to the bill tabled by the Chretien
government this fall.

The new bill will still impose fines instead of criminal convictions
for simple possession, but it's expected to feature stiffer penalties
for pot growers and repeat offenders.

Martin said he also favours higher fines for possession and stricter
limits on the maximum permitted amounts.

Canadian Alliance MP Randy White, a strident critic of the
legislation, said he is encouraged by Martin's stance.

"It sounds like he's got a better perspective than the previous prime
minister and the hacks he installed on the parliamentary committee to
study this bill," said White, adding he'll ask for a meeting with
Martin to emphasize the importance of taking a non-partisan approach
to the bill.

A national survey published by Health Canada in October showed
marijuana consumption is at a 25-year high among teenagers; 54 per
cent of 15-to-19-year-olds admitted to smoking the drug more than once.

The original bill to decriminalize pot possession had made it to the
committee stage but died on the order paper following former prime
minister Jean Chretien's decision to prorogue the House of Commons
ahead of last month's Liberal leadership convention.

The legislative proposal would have allowed people to possess up to 15
grams of marijuana.

Martin telegraphed his intentions in October by supporting amendments
from Liberal backbenchers and Canadian Alliance MPs to toughen former
justice minister Martin Cauchon's bill.

A spokesperson for Alliance caucus leader Stephen Harper accused
Martin of "playing with political optics" by promising to bring back
the marijuana bill.

"Mr. Martin is looking to bring forward an inconsequential bill to be
defeated in the House of Commons so he can use it as a symbol of how
he's slain the democratic deficit. If he was really sincere about
eliminating the democratic deficit, he would bring in a bill that
people really care about and risk having it defeated," Jim Armour said.

The final makeup of the bill also depends on a number of external
factors.

The Supreme Court of Canada is scheduled to issue a long-anticipated
ruling Tuesday on whether current marijuana possession laws violate
the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

And although Martin has repeatedly emphasized his wish to improve
Ottawa's relations with the United States, the new pot legislation
won't win him any friends in President George W. Bush's Republican
administration.

In separate yearend interviews, Martin said he does not believe ousted
Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein should be executed for crimes against
humanity.

Martin told CHUM TV and CTV yesterday he does not agree with Bush on
capital punishment and that international law reinforces his position
by not permitting the death penalty.

Martin, a staunch Catholic, said he is confident the Canadian public
supports him in his general views on capital punishment.