GRITS SMOKIN' AWAY ON POT PLAN

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
growing 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 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.

Reduce Limit

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

Cauchon would not say if the marijuana bill would be doomed under a Paul
Martin administration.

Liberal MP Dan McTeague, who is among the throng of backbenchers opposed to
decriminalizing marijuana, called the new tactic 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," McTeague 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."