Pubdate: Fri, 03 Feb 2012
Source: Times, The  (Munster IN)
Copyright: 2012 The Munster Times
Contact:  http://www.nwitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/832

FORM A STUDY COMMITTEE ON MARIJUANA POLICY

State Sen. Karen Tallian wants to make most marijuana possession 
cases misdemeanors. What a change that would be from a toke-free Indiana.

Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, did not request a committee vote on Senate 
Bill 347 but took nearly an hour to explain how reducing criminal 
penalties for marijuana possession could benefit Indiana.

It would have the effect of freeing up at least 250 beds a year in 
the state prison system and thousands of beds in county jails, 
according to the nonprofit Legislative Services Agency.

In Indiana, possession of an amount of marijuana is punishable by up 
to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. That's among the toughest 
penalties in the nation.

"Marijuana possession is a victimless crime, and there's no reason to 
do this to our citizens, especially our our young people," Tallian said.

But is it truly a victimless crime?

We have been told for years that marijuana is a gateway drug that 
leads to more serious illegal drugs. That argument must not be 
ignored in the discussion of whether to ease penalties for marijuana 
possession.

And does medicinal use of marijuana actually fight disease and ease 
symptoms, or would it simply create a state full of hypochondriacs 
who see various maladies as a way to legally possess an otherwise 
illegal substance?

The Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee discussed this 
issue July 28, but four hours of conversation on this issue aren't 
enough to reach a consensus on the ramifications of easing penalties.

This is a subject that should be discussed by a separate legislative 
study commission this summer to weigh both the financial costs of 
enforcement and the social cost on people who use marijuana as an 
entry drug, leading to more dangerous drugs.

Tallian said she "wanted to continue laying the groundwork" instead 
of asking for a vote in an election year. Part of that groundwork 
should be pressing for the study commission to come up with 
definitive answers on the costs and benefits of easing penalties for 
marijuana possession.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom