MEDICAL MARIJUANA COULD EARN BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

Issue Might Prove Excellent Starting Point in Consideration Of
Criminal Code Overhaul

In the years that this newspaper has known and endorsed Tom Knollman
in his role as a Republican...- 11:08 pm

To the contrary, this Union County farmer, while struggling with his
speech and movement as a consequence of battling multiple sclerosis,
is soft-spoken, thoughtful and deliberate in his positions and
subsequent votes in the General Assembly.

His conservative, law-and-order credentials are above
reproach.

So when Knollman testified in favor of keeping marijuana available for
people like himself, suffering lifetime disorders, his remarks deserve
an audience.

Fortunately, they are receiving it, and that audience is likely to
grow in the future.

Knollman has made no secret of his position while testifying before
several legislative committees, including another last week. He is
just as open with anyone who wishes to corner him on the topic.

There are, to be sure, persuasive arguments to the contrary among
those who point to the suspect science behind the "research" favoring
the full legalization marijuana, which neither Knollman nor this
newspaper advocate.

We do, however, appreciate and side with what our sister Gannett
newspaper, The Indianapolis Star, had to say in weighing in on the
issue this week:

"There is plenty of perfectly conservative reason, however, for
liberal measures short of full legalization. Decriminalizing
possession of small amounts (one ounce can bring up to a year in jail
and a $5,000 fine) would hardly jeopardize public safety. Allowing
strictly monitored medical use would not compromise public health.

"Reform of the state's entire criminal code came before the
legislature in the session just past and probably will occupy the
front burner in 2012. Much modernizing will have to be done with the
code, which dates back nearly four decades. Marijuana would make an
ideal bipartisan starting point."