MARTIN SAID TOUGH ON POT

A Spokesperson Says He Would Come Down Harder On Growers And
Traffickers.

OTTAWA -- Paul Martin is putting his political weight behind amendments
that would toughen the government's marijuana bill, the it was reported
yesterday. The prime minister-in-waiting would "be more comfortable" with
the proposed legislation if the government came down harder on marijuana
growers, traffickers and repeat offenders, a spokesperson for Martin said.

"There are rumours that the government may be thinking about toughening up
the penalties and if that were the direction that were taken, he would be
very pleased with that," said Scott Reid. "It would conform to his
perspective."

Martin's position on unfinished legislation makes a difference because he
will ultimately decide which bills will be revived when Prime Minister Jean
Chretien is steps aside in February.

Although Chretien is trying to fast-track the marijuana legislation so that
it passes this fall, even Liberals doubt it will clear the necessary
hurdles in time, meaning it could be on Martin's plate when he becomes
prime minister.

The government's proposed bill would decriminalize marijuana possession for
small-time users caught with less than 15 grams by setting fines of $100 to
$400. At the other end, there would be an array of penalties to counter an
escalation in marijuana-grow houses run by organized crime, with the
maximum sentence being doubled to 14 years.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon is considering several amendments that
would make the legislation tougher, including a minimum mandatory sentence
for people convicted of running marijuana growing operations. Critics say
judges routinely impose sentences of six months to one year for the most
serious offenders.

The government might also lower the amount of marijuana that would escape
criminal charges to 10 grams from the current proposal of 15 grams, and
impose criminal sanctions instead of fines on repeat offenders.

Reid said Martin supports decriminalization, but would not shed light on
the amount of marijuana the future prime minister thinks should result in
criminal charges.