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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Canada: Pot bill to stay as is, say MPs Janice Tibbetts The Vancouver Province Wednesday 18 Feb 2004 OTTAWA -- The federal government won't change its pot bill, despite Prime Minister Paul Martin's musings about toughening the Chretien government's proposals. The amount of pot possession that would be decriminalized will stay at 15 grams instead of being lowered and there will be no extra penalties for repeat offenders or traffickers. Liberal MP Paddy Torsney, who chaired an all-party committee that studied the proposed legislation, said Martin has assured her that he accepts the bill as is. Going over the committee's head to change the bill would break Martin's commitment to give backbench MPs more power, added Liberal Derek Lee, another committee member. "There's no point in trying to gut the bill, or maim it, or hobble it," said Lee. "If the goal is diversion from the criminal court, then let's get some diversion. You want to get reasonable amounts that are not seen to be big trafficking amounts." Police say 15 grams is the equivalent of about 15 cigarettes, depending on how they're rolled. The bill is expected to be debated in the Commons next week. (c) The Vancouver Province 2004
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