FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY TOUGHEN MARIJUANA BILL TO APPEASE CRITICS

OTTAWA (CP) - The Liberal government sent cautious signals Thursday
that it may agree to toughen some provisions of its marijuana
decriminalization bill in response to domestic critics.

But Justice Minister Martin Cauchon stood fast against harsher attacks
from south of the border, rejecting claims by John Walters, the U.S.
drug czar, that Canada's approach is out of step with the rest of the
hemisphere.

The double-barrelled message came as the Liberals moved to fast-track
legislation that would eliminate the threat of jail terms and criminal
records for anyone in possession of 15 grams or less of pot.

"The government is listening and willing to consider amendments to
ensure we get it right," Cauchon told the House of Commons.

He did not elaborate, but senior sources say the justice minister is
prepared to look at lowering the possession limit to 10 grams, in the
hope of winning over dissident Liberal backbenchers and some
provincial justice ministers who have been critical of the bill.

He is also reportedly willing to consider tougher penalties for repeat
offenders and minimum mandatory prison terms for people involved in
marijuana grow operations.

Cauchon bristled, however, when Walters delivered a speech in
Washington describing Canada as "the once place in the hemisphere
where things are going the wrong way."

The White House director of drug policy has previously suggested
decriminalization of pot could cause problems at the U.S. border, as
American customs officers step up their searches of tourists and
commercial traffic.

"He should maybe look in his own backyard," Cauchon retorted, noting
that more than 10 U.S. states have eliminated criminal penalties for
simple possession of marijuana.

"If it's not correct to move in that direction, maybe he should start
spending some time talking to his own states."