FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY TOUGHEN MARIJUANA BILL TO APPEASE CRITICS

Message Comes As Liberals Fast-Track Bill

OTTAWA

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."