Indiana Bill Would Decriminalize Small Amounts of Marijuana

[caption id="attachment_7230" align="alignright" width="168"] Sen. Karen Tallian[/caption]

Indiana state Senator Karen Tallian has taken an important step towards improving marijuana laws in Indiana by introducing SB 314. This bill would reduce the penalty for possessing a small amount of marijuana to a civil fine.

Currently, a person who possesses up to 30 grams of marijuana in Indiana faces up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Indiana’s penalties are some of the harshest in the country. SB 314 aims to fix that by establishing a more reasonable approach. Under the bill, a person who possesses up to 2 ounces of marijuana could not be arrested or jailed and would only be subject to a fine of up to only $500. Importantly, a civil infraction is similar to a speeding ticket and is not considered a criminal offense — which could affect employment, housing, or student loans.

This legislation is a major step in the right direction for Indiana’s marijuana laws. If you are an Indiana resident, please take a moment and tell your legislators to support SB 314.