March 3, 2020 09:26 am ETEstimated Read Time: 3 Minutes
In Indiana, cannabis use whether it is recreational or medical is illegal in the state. Indiana Republicans have passed a bill out of committee that would allow the state to step in and enforce cannabis laws if local prosecutors choose not to. Republican legislators agitated with an Indianapolis prosecutor’s refusal to press charges for possessing small amounts of cannabis are seeking to empower the state attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor to take over such cases.
The Trend to Not Prosecute Cannabis Crimes is Spreading
The widespread trend of choosing not to prosecute non-violent cannabis crimes is something that local prosecutors and city councils have been taking up recently. Townships, municipalities and even whole counties across the country are exercising their right to focus prosecutions on what they consider more pressing priorities. Not all these decisions come out of legislation and often are a product of some committee vote or other local representation.
Overreaching Powers of one Attorney General
The move appears to be in response to a decision by Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears, who announced last September his office would not prosecute small amounts (1 ounce or less) of cannabis possession. The proposed bill would allow the state’s Attorney General to appoint a “special prosecutor” to intervene in local cases. The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council argued the bill wrongly usurped the discretion that county prosecutors must have about how to use their staff and budgets on which cases to pursue.
Apply For Your Medical Marijuana Card Today
Veriheal has satisfied hundreds of thousands of patients nationwide
Get approved or your money back
Appointments available on-demand
Customer support available 24/7
Who Pays For These Interventions?
This bill also includes the requirement the county is to reimburse the attorney general for expenses incurred in the appointment. The author of the bill, Michael Young (R), says the proposal will also force local prosecutors to try trespassing, disorderly conduct or prostitution not just cannabis. A recent shift in social justice has brought cities like Boston and San Francisco who have stopped prosecuting for such low-level cases that disproportionately affect minority populations.
This Bill is Not Widely Supported
No one testified in favor of this bill despite the 6-3 committee approval. The decision not to prosecute small amounts of cannabis is merely an example of a spreading “no prosecute” policy across the country. The Indiana Attorney General’s Office says these policies are concerning. The bill, which was to the full Senate for consideration, opens the door to what some are calling “a political circus” and leads to questions about prosecutors quietly deciding against charging some crimes and not others. The bill died when it wasn’t called for action before a legislative deadline on February 3, 2020.
Legal Discrepancies continue
While this particular proposed bill is dead for this senate session, it seems this may be a more common occurrence as local municipalities and counties across the country begin various forms of criminal justice reform. Cannabis may have been a media highlight of this bill but the umbrella concept of social justice reform encompasses many non-violent crimes that have a significantly higher arrest and conviction rate among African-Americans and other minorities. It seems that the discrepancies around which laws should be enforced and which shouldn’t is becoming more common as a generational shift takes place both in and out of politics.
Natasha has worked as a journalist in the cannabis scene for several years. She travels regularly in her tiny house school bus conversion to keep up to date with the ever-changing industry. Her experience is varied and eclectic.
Suddenly, the world of magic mushrooms is almost as complicated as that of learning about cannabis. Shrooms or “magic” mushrooms have gained traction as a hallucinogenic therapeutic application for several different mental health circumstances such as depression and migraines—particularly when microdosing. It’s not just liberty caps anymore, folks. There are many different varieties and types…
As of now, 15 states have legalized adult use of med and rec, and when a state legalizes recreational use of cannabis, people tend to stop getting their mmj cards. But cannabis consumers who opt not to get a MMJ card are missing out on a bunch of benefits like paying lower costs, the ability…
Edibles are arguably one of the best means of recreational cannabis consumption—you get to eat a treat AND experience a long-lasting high. But it’s easy to end up dealing with some unwanted side effects due to the variability in the onset of these THC-packed goodies, which come in the form of brownies, cookies, gummies, chocolate,…
If you’re reading this, you are either a recreational cannabis veteran who has seen a handful of cannabis smokers passing out from puffing a joint and can’t seem to figure out why. Or, you are a newbie who wants to give recreational or medical cannabis a shot, and the burning question on your mind is,…
According to a new study published by the University of New Mexico (UNM) in the prestigious journal Frontiers in Pharmacology, researchers have unveiled a significant correlation between the sensation of “feeling high” and the relief of medical symptoms among cannabis patients. This landmark study probes uncharted territories, challenging pre-existing assumptions and opening new avenues for…
We use our own as well as third party cookies to improve your site experience and the services we make available. You can learn more about our use of cookies in our Privacy Policy.
Content Disclamer
The statements made regarding cannabis products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cannabis is not an FDA-approved substance and is still illegal under federal law. The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. We strongly recommend that you consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before using any cannabis products. The use of any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.