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Sunday, July 24, 2011

Ind. Law - NW Indiana state senator leads charge for reform of state marijuana laws

From Dan Carden's story in the NWI Times today:

Business leaders asking government to stop interfering in their work is a common occurrence at the Statehouse, and the Republican-controlled General Assembly usually is eager to remove obstacles impeding entrepreneurship.

But when that business is marijuana, the lawmakers who normally would do just about anything to help -- and claim credit for new jobs and tax revenue -- disappear.

That's why state Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, is eager for Thursday's meeting of the legislature's Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee because the state's marijuana laws finally will get a thorough review.

"You can't believe the number of people that have called me and wanted to testify or help me in some way," said Tallian, who persuaded lawmakers this past spring to authorize the study.

Expected to speak are supporters of industrial hemp production and medicinal marijuana use and Hoosiers who believe it's best to legalize and tax the drug.

Tallian wants legislators to consider changing Indiana's marijuana sentencing laws, which are among the toughest in the nation.

"I want to see what people are willing to do," Tallian said. "We at least need to stop messing over people's lives and stop putting our children in jail for smoking pot."

Currently, possession of any marijuana is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

A second offense or possession of more than 30 grams, enough for about 30 to 40 marijuana cigarettes, is a felony, with a potential prison sentence of three years. A person caught holding 10 pounds or more faces up to eight years in prison.

Tallian said a survey this year of her constituents in Lake and Porter counties found 96 percent want the state's marijuana laws changed, as 30 other states recently have done.

See also this July 17th ILB entry.

ILB: I've just looked at the agenda of Thursday's (7/28/11) meeting and it appears that the meeting, which will be held in Room 431, will NOT be webcast, although it seems likely there will be statewide interest in the meeting ...

Posted by Marcia Oddi on July 24, 2011 08:05 PM
Posted to Indiana Law