PARLIAMENT'S VIEW OF POT OVER THE YEARS

* 1923 - Cannabis added to the Schedule of prohibited drugs of the Opium
and Narcotic Drug Act.

* 1973 - Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Non-Medical Use
of Drugs (the Le Dain Commission). The report recommended decriminalization
of personal use of marijuana.

* 1996 - The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act replaces the Narcotic
Control Act and Parts III and IV of the Food and Drugs Act which created a
summary conviction offence of possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana
or one gram or less of cannabis resin.

* September 2002 - the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs releases
its report which recommends the legalization of small amounts of cannabis.

* December 2002 - the House of Commons Special Committee on Non-Medical Use
of Drugs releases its report which recommends the decriminalization of
possession of not more than 30 grams of cannabis for personal use.

* May 27, 2003 - Justice Minister Martin Cauchon introduces Cannabis Reform
Bill (Bill C-38) in the House of Commons. Under Bill C-38, cannabis
possession would remain illegal but those convicted of possessing 15 grams
or less of marijuana or one gram or less of cannabis resin would face
alternative penalties of a fine instead of a criminal conviction or the
possibility of a jail term.