Pubdate: Sat, 05 Mar 2005
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Authors: Kathleen Harris, and Stephanie Rubec
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Rochfort+Bridge (Rochfort Bridge)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

TOUGH TERMS NO 'QUICK FIX'

The Liberal government is resisting pressure to impose tough mandatory 
prison terms for culprits caught running pot-growing operations in the wake 
of a botched drug raid that took down four Mounties. Thrust into public 
policy crisis mode over plans to decriminalize marijuana, Liberal MPs are 
sending mixed messages on how to proceed with the contentious issue. But 
two key cabinet ministers insisted yesterday imposing minimum mandatory 
sentences isn't the best way to crack down on growers.

"Let's not delude ourselves into thinking that the mandatory minimum is the 
quick fix, the easy answer, the magic bullet," said Public Safety Minister 
Anne McLellan.

"There is no such thing in this area and generally in the criminal law 
mandatory minimums are not a quick fix."

OPEN TO AMENDMENTS

Pleading for a grieving period, McLellan said she's open to "significant 
and potentially wide-ranging" amendments from a parliamentary committee 
studying the decriminalization bill.

But she rejected calls by some Grits to legalize pot in a bid to bite the 
profit margins of illegal growers often linked to organized crime.

Justice Minister Irwin Cotler defended the move to decriminalize pot, 
however, and stressed the bill cracks down on those who grow and sell it 
through increased maximum penalties. But he rejected calls for mandatory 
minimum jail terms.

"Unfortunately this tragedy may be a kind of wake-up call for addressing 
this scourge," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom