Tory bill targets pot growers

The Conservative government is reintroducing a crime bill that would impose a mandatory minimum sentence for people convicted of growing as few as six marijuana plants.

The new bill was reintroduced in the Senate on Wednesday as part of the government's continued re-tabling of tough-on-crime bills that died when the last Parliament was prorogued.

The legislation specifies a six-month sentence for anyone convicted of growing six to 200 cannabis plants. More than 200 would draw a year in jail.

The bill also imposes mandatory jail time for trafficking offences involving weapons, trafficking near a school or trafficking offences that pose a health or safety hazard to children or a residential community.

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said the bill is aimed at gangs and organized crime groups.