HIEBERT REJECTS LENIENT POT BILL

MP Russ Hiebert won't support the federal government's latest attempt to
decriminalize marijuana, saying he prefers the status quo.

The Conservative MP believes Bill C-17, introduced in the House of Commons
this week, will encourage young people to do drugs, and is too lenient on
traffickers.

"This bill is fundamentally flawed because it indirectly endorses behaviour
we don't want to be endorsing in society," the South Surrey-White
Rock-Cloverdale MP said.

"(Bill C-17) basically makes it equivalent to a parking ticket or a
speeding ticket."

The legislation would relax penalties for people caught with small amounts
of pot. Rather than jail time, adults caught with less than 15 grams-enough
to roll about 30 joints-would face a $150 fine. Young people would be
ticketed $100.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Hiebert said the bill doesn't do enough
to combat organized crime and grow operations. He wants mandatory minimum
sentences for people who cultivate pot. He also said decriminalization
could have a noticeable impact in this riding. "We know 95 per cent of the
marijuana produced in B.C. is destined for the States, and that the
U.S...has already indicated there will be repercussions at the border if
this bill goes ahead."