OTTAWA (CP) - Prime Minister Paul Martin says his government will reintroduce legislation to decriminalize simple possession of marijuana when Parliament sits again in the new year.
Martin indicated Thursday that the bill, first brought in under Jean Chretien, could be toughened in committee before it passes. "I think that one's got to take a look at the fines," he said. "I think that you have to take a look the quantities, and I think that there has to be a larger effort against the grow-ops and against those who distribute."
But the prime minister said he agrees with the principle that young people should not be dogged throughout life by a criminal record if they are caught in possession of small amounts of pot.
The Supreme Court of Canada is set to rule next week on a challenge to the current marijuana law in which the key issue is whether criminal penalties, including jail time, for simple possession violate the Charter of Rights.
Martin's comments clearly signalled that, even if the high court upholds the constitutionality of the present law, his government will still move to change it.
The prime minister's remarks came as he prepared to meet Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams, who was in Ottawa to confer on unrelated regional issues.
Martin indicated Thursday that the bill, first brought in under Jean Chretien, could be toughened in committee before it passes. "I think that one's got to take a look at the fines," he said. "I think that you have to take a look the quantities, and I think that there has to be a larger effort against the grow-ops and against those who distribute."
But the prime minister said he agrees with the principle that young people should not be dogged throughout life by a criminal record if they are caught in possession of small amounts of pot.
The Supreme Court of Canada is set to rule next week on a challenge to the current marijuana law in which the key issue is whether criminal penalties, including jail time, for simple possession violate the Charter of Rights.
Martin's comments clearly signalled that, even if the high court upholds the constitutionality of the present law, his government will still move to change it.
The prime minister's remarks came as he prepared to meet Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams, who was in Ottawa to confer on unrelated regional issues.
