Pubdate: Sat, 22 Jun 2002 Source: Indianapolis Star (IN) Copyright: 2002 Indianapolis Newspapers Inc. Contact: http://www.starnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/210 Author: Shannon Tan OFFICERS LEARN HOW TO CONDUCT MARIJUANA TEST Alex Petty has seen a lot of marijuana, smelled a lot of marijuana, and seized a lot of marijuana. But this was the first time the Hamilton County sheriff's deputy actually saw marijuana up close. "It's awesome," Petty said, as he intently examined a mixture of marijuana and pipe tobacco under a microscope, noting the distinctly shaped marijuana seeds and flowering tops. Petty was one of 10 officers from eight agencies training this week to identify marijuana in hopes of easing the backlog at Indiana State Police labs, which have about 4,000 cases pending. If the 10 officers score at least a B on the written and practical exam, they will qualify to testify in court as expert witnesses. This is the first time the Marijuana Identification Program has been developed in Hamilton County, said Fred Huttsell, a state police forensic scientist. "Instead of waiting six months for the lab" it will take about a week for local agencies, Huttsell said. "It's going to help the courts," said Dan Henke, Hamilton County Chief deputy prosecutor. "Their cases are going to be resolved more quickly." The Marijuana Identification Program was started after county law enforcement officials approached the State Police to develop the training, which took place at the Fishers Police Department. Participants learned how to examine marijuana under the microscope, comparing it with other items, such as parsley. "We can get convictions and the people that sell this stuff off the streets," Petty said, "And it starts here." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom