FEDS HURRYING MARIJUANA BILL

Provisions May Change In Bid To Pass Legislation Quickly

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 possession of up
to 15 grams of weed but imposes stiffer penalties on traffickers and
large grow operations -- is being hurried because it's among priorities
considered "key to society."

Today, it will be referred to a special committee of MPs that has
already reviewed Canada's drug strategy instead of going to 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.

Amendments likely 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, which are often linked to
organized crime.

Cauchon said he would like to put all bills before the House before the
end of 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 ... than positives."

IMPAIRED DRIVING

Canadian Alliance MP Vic Toews said he's worried relaxing marijuana
laws will lead to job losses because the U.S. could set up trade
barriers. He is also critical of the bill's failure to address impaired
driving by pot.

In a decision released Tuesday, the Ontario Court of Appeal ended a two-
year period in which it was leg al to possess personal amounts of
marijuana.