|
|
October 16/03 CTV
Ottawa may amend marijuana law to quiet critics
CTV.ca News Staff
The federal government signaled Thursday that it is considering changing its proposed marijuana decriminalization law in response to domestic critics. But it is also standing firm against harsher attacks from the United States.
The two-pronged message came from Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, as the Liberal government worked 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.
Although he didn't elaborate, Cauchon is reportedly prepared to consider lowering the criminal possession limit to 10 grams, as a concession to dissident Liberal backbenchers and provincial justice ministers who have been critical of the bill.
The original legislation tabled in May would make possession of up to 15 grams -- enough to roll about 15 or 20 joints -- a minor offence punishable by a range of fines.
Offenders would no longer face jail time or be saddled with a criminal record that would follow them through life.
Mandatory minimum jail sentences for growers and tougher penalties for repeat offenders are among the other changes the government is reportedly considering to strengthen political support for the legislation.
Cauchon also rejected claims by U.S. drug czar John Walters, who has suggested that Canada's approach to marijuana laws is out of step with the rest of the hemisphere.
In a speech in Washington, Walters described Canada as "the one place in the hemisphere where things are going the wrong way."
Dismissing Walters' concern that pot decriminalization could cause problems at the border, Cauchon pointed out more than 10 U.S. states have already eliminated criminal penalties for simple pot possession.
"He should maybe look in his own backyard," Cauchon said. "If it's not correct to move in that direction, maybe he should start spending some time talking to his own states."
The Liberals are trying to fast-track the Cannabis Reform Bill through the House of Commons, before sending it for early study by a Commons committee.
The all-party special committee is already on record -- in a report delivered last year -- as favouring decriminalization in principle.
"To refer it back to that committee, to me, is just normal," Cauchon said Wednesday. "Because they have the expertise, they're going to be able to deal with it in the fastest way."
Fellow Liberal Dan McTeague was outraged, calling the government's move to speed up the legislative process "reckless and irresponsible."
The committee chosen by Cauchon and Boudria is "stacked by the very people who have been advocates for decriminalization for some time," said McTeague.
"It's hardly a committee that's going to be objective"
McTeague, one of the most outspoken opponents of the bill since it was brought in by Cauchon last spring, branded it "ineffective and lousy legislation" that needs extensive revision.
Boudria, however, suggested it could conceivably be law before the fall session of Parliament is over.
"There's certainly enough time to pass it before Christmas," he said. "But of course that would depend largely on how many witnesses the committee decides to hear and so on."
Other MPs who spoke privately were skeptical of Boudria's claim. One Liberal backbencher said few believe the House will continue to sit after Nov. 15, the date the party will anoint former finance minister Paul Martin as the successor to Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
Martin has said he favours decriminalization in principle, but some of his backbench supporters believe he may back away from the Cauchon bill as internal dissent grows.
The current bill takes a tough line against illicit growers and traffickers, especially those linked to organized crime.
The maximum penalty for grow operations would be boosted to 14 years from the current seven. The penalty for large-scale trafficking is already life, although 20 years has been the stiffest sentence handed out in recent years.
The government has also set aside $245 million for enhanced law enforcement efforts, as well as information, research and treatment programs aimed at discouraging drug use, particularly among young people.
With a report from The Canadian Press