Indianapolis sets a good example for the state

Marion County, Indiana—home of Indianapolis—is setting a good example for the rest of the state by issuing tickets to low-level, nonviolent offenders to ease crowing in the county lockup.

As a result, marijuana smokers aren't being tossed in jail. Instead, they're being issued a summons to appear in court. This is the law in 12 other states across the country, but it was recently forced upon Marion County by a judge who has lost patience with the county's overcrowded jail.

Implemented less than a month ago on April 14, the plan is working. Crowding at the lockup has subsided and offenders who rarely pose a threat to themselves or others are not being held at taxpayer expense.

It is a good start toward a saner marijuana policy, and it should be extended statewide.

Possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana in Indiana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. At worst, such possession should be a civil violation, not a criminal offense. That's the law in states like Maine, Mississippi, and Nebraska, and they're suffering no ill effects from the policy.

Let's call on the Indiana state legislature to join the dozen other states that have low, reasonable penalties for simple marijuana possession. It will save money and will allow law enforcement to focus on violent and dangerous crime.

Visit MPP's Indiana Web site—/IN—to automatically e-mail your own state legislators. Ask them to lower penalties for marijuana possession.