FEDS FAST-TRACK POT BILL

Major Revamp in Works to Win Over Opponents

OTTAWA -- The federal government is fast-tracking its plan to decriminalize
marijuana, but the controversial bill will get a major makeover in a bid to
win over staunch opponents.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said the pot bill - which decriminalizes 15
grams of weed but imposes stiffer penalties on traffickers and large grow
operations - is being hurried because it's among government priorities that
are "key to society."

Today, it will be referred to a special committee of MPs who have already
reviewed Canada's drug strategy, instead of being studied by a full
parliamentary committee.

"Cannabis reform is an important reform, and we believe that proceeding
with the special committee, they already have the experience and we may be
able to proceed faster," Cauchon said.

Likely amendments to come from the committee include reducing the 15-gram
limit, establishing a penalty system for repeat offenders and cracking down
harder on grow operations that are often linked to organized crime.

Cauchon said he would like to put all bills before the House before the end
of the session, but he has to pick priorities. He would not say if the bill
would be doomed under a Paul Martin administration.

But Liberal MP Dan McTeague, who is among the throng of backbenchers
opposed to decriminalizing marijuana, called it a "sneaky" way of rushing a
dangerously flawed bill.

"It would appear time is running out, and they're trying to do this through
the back door and to fast-track it," he said.

"It's a sloppy, reckless way of approaching a serious piece of legislation
for which there are more negatives to its proposals than positives."

Canadian Alliance MP Vic Toews said he's worried relaxing marijuana laws
will lead to job losses because of trade barriers from the U.S.

Toews is also critical of the bill's failure to address impaired driving by
pot users and the potential increased use of drugs by youth.

"How can we look at these issues within the course of a month? I'm very
concerned about that," he said.