OFFICERS LEARN HOW TO CONDUCT MARIJUANA TEST

Alex Petty has seen a lot of marijuana, smelled a lot of marijuana, and
seized a lot of marijuana.

But this was the first time the Hamilton County sheriff's deputy actually
saw marijuana up close.

"It's awesome," Petty said, as he intently examined a mixture of marijuana
and pipe tobacco under a microscope, noting the distinctly shaped marijuana
seeds and flowering tops.

Petty was one of 10 officers from eight agencies training this week to
identify marijuana in hopes of easing the backlog at Indiana State Police
labs, which have about 4,000 cases pending.

If the 10 officers score at least a B on the written and practical exam,
they will qualify to testify in court as expert witnesses.

This is the first time the Marijuana Identification Program has been
developed in Hamilton County, said Fred Huttsell, a state police forensic
scientist.

"Instead of waiting six months for the lab" it will take about a week for
local agencies, Huttsell said.

"It's going to help the courts," said Dan Henke, Hamilton County Chief
deputy prosecutor. "Their cases are going to be resolved more quickly."

The Marijuana Identification Program was started after county law
enforcement officials approached the State Police to develop the training,
which took place at the Fishers Police Department.

Participants learned how to examine marijuana under the microscope,
comparing it with other items, such as parsley.

"We can get convictions and the people that sell this stuff off the
streets," Petty said, "And it starts here."