WHITE SLAMS LIBERAL POT LAWS

Local MP Randy White is criticizing the government's new marijuana legislation.

The federal Liberal's proposed marijuana legislation is just the same old
thing, Langley-Abbotsford MP Randy White told the House of Commons this week.

Prime Minister Paul Martin promised the bill, originally introduced under
former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, would be reintroduced with stiffer
penalties for pot growers and re-offenders, White said, but that hasn't
happened.

"For months we have been told this legislation would be redone and would
address some of the concerns that we have heard from the provincial
governments, police departments, and groups such as M.A.D.D.," White said.
"Instead we get the same old bill that was dumped on us by the former Prime
Minister."

There are a number of areas where the new legislation falls short, White
said, including reducing the fines for growing one to three plants from a
$5,000 fine and up to 12 months in jail to a fine of not more than $500 and
no jail time.

"It makes you wonder why this government even bothered to consult with
Canadians when they obviously had no intention of making any changes to
this bill," White said.