Bill Text: IN SR0020 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Study committee on the effects of potential changes to marijuana laws.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-02-10 - First reading: referred to Committee on Corrections, Criminal, and Civil Matters [SR0020 Detail]

Download: Indiana-2011-SR0020-Introduced.html

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Introduced Version

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SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___

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DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION

     A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council to direct a Sentencing Policy Study Committee or other appropriate committee to study the effects of potential changes to the laws prohibiting marijuana use and possession in Indiana, including medical marijuana laws, decriminalization, and legalization.

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TALLIAN

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     , read first time and referred to Committee on

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Introduced

First Regular Session 117th General Assembly (2011)

SENATE RESOLUTION

     MADAM PRESIDENT:

    I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:

    A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council to direct a Sentencing Policy Study Committee or other appropriate committee to study the effects of potential changes to the laws prohibiting marijuana use and possession in Indiana, including medical marijuana laws, decriminalization, and legalization.

    

    Whereas, Indiana has some of the harshest laws in the country for possession of marijuana. For a first-time offender, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is punishable by one year in prison and a $5000 fine.
    Whereas, More than a dozen states have reformed their criminal laws regarding use and possession of marijuana by decriminalizing non-medicinal marijuana.
    Whereas, Nationwide, the total number of marijuana arrests far exceeds the total number of arrests for all violent crimes combined, including murder, manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault.

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    Whereas, Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have already passed laws legalizing medical mar ijuana in certain circumstances

    Whereas, The American Medical Association has recently urged the federal government to review marijuana's status as a Schedule I Drug, which would allow further research into the medicinal benefits of marijuana: therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the

General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

    SECTION 1. That the Legislative Council is urged to direct a Sentencing Policy Study Committee to study whether the current sentences for possession of marijuana and similar cannabinoids are appropriate, whether possession of small amounts of marijuana should be decriminalized or legalized, whether there should be a state program for medical marijuana, and whether marijuana should be treated like alcohol with controlled sales and special taxation.
    SECTION 2. That the Secretary of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Chair of the Legislative Council.