Pubdate: Sat, 01 Dec 2012
Source: Tribune Star (Terre Haute, IN)
Copyright: 2012 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.tribstar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/448
Page: A3

POLICE AROUND INDIANA DON'T FAVOR MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

South Bend (AP) - The Indiana State Police superintendent's opinion 
that marijuana should be legalized and taxed isn't finding much 
support among local law enforcement officials.

Superintendent Paul Whitesell responded to a question on the issue 
this week during a State Budget Committee meeting, saying that the 
drug is here to stay and pointing to voter-passed measures in 
Colorado and Washington that allow adults to have small amounts of marijuana.

Some Indiana lawmakers plan to push during next year's legislative 
session for making possession of small amounts of marijuana an 
infraction carrying a fine rather than a criminal misdemeanor, 
arguing that too much money is spent on prosecuting and jailing 
people in such cases.

St. Joseph County Prosecutor Michael Dvorak said state law allows for 
first-time violators of marijuana possession laws to plead guilty and 
avoid jail time through community service, fines or drug education classes.

"For the advocates of legalizing marijuana to say that people are 
going to prison for small quantities, that's not true," Dvorak told 
the South Bend Tribune.

Vigo County Drug Task Force Detective Denzil Lewis said he believed 
decriminalization of marijuana wouldn't lead to less crime.

"To legalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana does 
nothing but benefit the larger scale drug dealers," Lewis told 
WTHI-TV of Terre Haute. "... now it's more lucrative."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom