Pubdate: Sun, 24 Jul 2011
Source: Times, The  (Munster IN)
Copyright: 2011 The Munster Times
Contact:  http://www.nwitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/832
Author: Dan Carden
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

REGION STATE SENATOR LEADS CHARGE FOR REFORM OF IND. MARIJUANA LAWS

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.

One roadblock to reform might be a man who was arrested in 1970 after 
police found enough marijuana in his Princeton University dorm room 
to fill two shoe boxes -- Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Daniels eventually pleaded guilty to maintaining a common nuisance 
and was fined $350. Under current Indiana law, he likely would face a 
multiyear prison sentence.

But when asked based on his own experiences whether Indiana's 
marijuana laws ought to be changed, Daniels said, "Not in my view."

In the end, Tallian and Daniels might end up working together.

The Republican governor wants all criminal sentences changed to save 
money by reducing short prison terms and placing nonviolent criminals 
in community or home detention programs.

Tallian thinks changing the state's marijuana laws fits that agenda 
perfectly but said she's well aware of the challenges of making that happen.

"What I think and what I think I can get through are two different 
things," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom