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Indiana Senate Bill to explore legalizing pot
February 16, 2011 - wndu.com

Indianapolis - State Sen. Karen Tallian (D) of Portage has proposed a bill that would mandate a committee to evaluate marijuana laws in the state.

The bill has been approved by an Indiana Senate committee and now would need full passage by the Senate.

If the bill passes both houses, the Sentencing Policy Study Committee would meet multiple times this summer and come up with recommendations about marijuana for the next legislative session.

"I'm an attorney, I’ve seen over the years way too many people being prosecuted for marijuana possession, being sent to jail for marijuana possession,” said Tallian.

"The policy that we have right now is unreasonable,” she added.

There is no mission or specific goal for this bill, she said – other than starting a conversation. She is not the only Hoosier leader who thinks marijuana laws are far from perfect.

Elkhart County Sheriff Brad Rogers says jail time might not be the best solution for those who possess marijuana.

"Do they need to be in jail? It’s non-violent, I’m not saying there shouldn't be incarceration but there's alternatives, and that's what I’m suggesting,” said Rogers.

As for Tallian, she says the cost to taxpayers is reason enough to consider change. She says every year in the state of Indiana some 15,000 cases of marijuana possession are prosecuted – a burden for taxpayers.

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