LIBERALS MOVE TO SPEED UP DECRIMINALIZATION OF POT

OTTAWA - The Liberal government, brushing aside objections by some of its
own backbenchers, is moving to speed up passage of controversial
legislation to decriminalize simple possession of marijuana.

House leader Don Boudria served notice yesterday that he intends to refer
the bill for early committee study, after just three hours of debate in the
full Commons.

The official referral will come today. It will put the bill in the hands of
an all-party special committee that is already on record as favouring
decriminalization in principle.