Pubdate: Mon, 11 Jul 2011
Source: Herald Bulletin, The (Anderson, IN)
Copyright: 2011 The Herald Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3877
Author: Maureen Hayden
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

STATE SENATOR SURPRISED BY SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZED MARIJUANA BILL

INDIANAPOLIS -- When state Sen. Karen Tallian first floated the idea 
of introducing a bill to look at legalizing marijuana, her Statehouse 
colleagues warned the Portage Democrat that it could kill her chances 
for re-election.

But the 60-year-old mother of three thought there might be some 
public support for taking the crime out of pot, so she sent out an 
informal survey, via email, to constituents in her northwest Indiana 
district. Within 72 hours of sending the email, she received more 
than 2,000 responses. Almost all of them were supportive, and most of 
the supportive ones said the state should treat marijuana like 
alcohol: Control its sale and tax it as a revenue enhancer.

"I was floored by the response," Tallian said. Emboldened by the 
support, Tallian filed a bill last January to begin a serious 
conversation about the weedy issue.

Her bill, which passed the Republican-controlled Statehouse, directs 
a legislative summer study committee to look at Indiana's marijuana 
laws and potential alternatives, including legalized "medical 
marijuana" for use in palliative care. The committee's first meeting 
is on July 28.

Since the bill's filing and passage, she's received even more 
support, ranging from conservative Republicans to liberal Democrats, 
she said. She's received some negative feedback, but few like the 
comments from someone who told her she should be "shamed" for even 
bringing up the idea.

"I'm kind of shocked and amazed," Tallian said. "I haven't been demonized."

Among those who may testify at the committee hearing are 
representatives from the organization Law Enforcement Against 
Prohibition (LEAP). LEAP's members include former prosecutors, police 
officers and judges who say marijuana arrests take up resources, 
including jail space and prison beds, that could be better spent 
fighting other crimes.

Tallian also hopes the committee will hear from a Harvard University 
economist who testified during the session that legalizing and taxing 
marijuana could raise millions of dollars in revenues for the state. 
Tallian, who is a lawyer, said the idea for the bill came to her when 
she was sitting in court one day and watched three young defendants 
sentenced for possession of small amounts of marijuana. "I thought, 
what a collossal waste of time and resources," Tallian said.

There are some skeptics on the study committee, though. Among them is 
Rep. Ralph Foley, an influential Republican from Martinsville who 
chairs the House Judiciary Committee.

Foley, who is also a lawyer, worries that legalizing marijuana, even 
for medicinal use, opens the door wider for drug abuse. "I've seen 
too much trouble start with marijuana," Foley said. "Unless I'm 
convinced strongly otherwise, I'm not inclined to support legalizing 
marijuana."

Foley cites the difficulty that other states have had regulating the 
drug once it becomes legal. He noted California's experience with 
medicinal marijuana and the proliferation of what he called "pot 
shops" that opened up to service people who were able to easily 
obtain marijuana prescriptions from their doctors. "There was so many 
people with back ailments," Foley said.

Thirty states have reduced their penalties for marijuana possession. 
Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have approved marijuana 
to treat a range of illnesses, but its use remains controversial.

On Friday, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration ruled marijuana 
has no accepted medical use and should remain classified as a highly 
dangerous drug like heroin. Opponents of the DEA ruling are expected 
to fight that ruling in court.

Maureen Hayden is Statehouse bureau chief for CNHI Indiana newspapers.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom