STATE SENATOR SURPRISED BY SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZED MARIJUANA BILL

INDIANAPOLIS -- When state Sen. Karen Tallian first floated the idea
of introducing a bill to look at legalizing marijuana, her Statehouse
colleagues warned the Portage Democrat that it could kill her chances
for re-election.

But the 60-year-old mother of three thought there might be some
public support for taking the crime out of pot, so she sent out an
informal survey, via email, to constituents in her northwest Indiana
district. Within 72 hours of sending the email, she received more
than 2,000 responses. Almost all of them were supportive, and most of
the supportive ones said the state should treat marijuana like
alcohol: Control its sale and tax it as a revenue enhancer.

"I was floored by the response," Tallian said. Emboldened by the
support, Tallian filed a bill last January to begin a serious
conversation about the weedy issue.

Her bill, which passed the Republican-controlled Statehouse, directs
a legislative summer study committee to look at Indiana's marijuana
laws and potential alternatives, including legalized "medical
marijuana" for use in palliative care. The committee's first meeting
is on July 28.

Since the bill's filing and passage, she's received even more
support, ranging from conservative Republicans to liberal Democrats,
she said. She's received some negative feedback, but few like the
comments from someone who told her she should be "shamed" for even
bringing up the idea.

"I'm kind of shocked and amazed," Tallian said. "I haven't been demonized."

Among those who may testify at the committee hearing are
representatives from the organization Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition (LEAP). LEAP's members include former prosecutors, police
officers and judges who say marijuana arrests take up resources,
including jail space and prison beds, that could be better spent
fighting other crimes.

Tallian also hopes the committee will hear from a Harvard University
economist who testified during the session that legalizing and taxing
marijuana could raise millions of dollars in revenues for the state.
Tallian, who is a lawyer, said the idea for the bill came to her when
she was sitting in court one day and watched three young defendants
sentenced for possession of small amounts of marijuana. "I thought,
what a collossal waste of time and resources," Tallian said.

There are some skeptics on the study committee, though. Among them is
Rep. Ralph Foley, an influential Republican from Martinsville who
chairs the House Judiciary Committee.

Foley, who is also a lawyer, worries that legalizing marijuana, even
for medicinal use, opens the door wider for drug abuse. "I've seen
too much trouble start with marijuana," Foley said. "Unless I'm
convinced strongly otherwise, I'm not inclined to support legalizing
marijuana."

Foley cites the difficulty that other states have had regulating the
drug once it becomes legal. He noted California's experience with
medicinal marijuana and the proliferation of what he called "pot
shops" that opened up to service people who were able to easily
obtain marijuana prescriptions from their doctors. "There was so many
people with back ailments," Foley said.

Thirty states have reduced their penalties for marijuana possession.
Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have approved marijuana
to treat a range of illnesses, but its use remains controversial.

On Friday, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration ruled marijuana
has no accepted medical use and should remain classified as a highly
dangerous drug like heroin. Opponents of the DEA ruling are expected
to fight that ruling in court.

Maureen Hayden is Statehouse bureau chief for CNHI Indiana newspapers.