Action Alert: SB 314: marijuana reform
As the state affiliate of Family Voices, we are a grassroots advocacy organization supporting families raising children with special health care needs.
We share the following bill that has been introduced and might be of interest to our members:
Senate Bill 314 by Indiana Senator Karen Tallian
According to the bill text, the proposal would:
- Legalize small amounts of marijuana for academic research.
- Authorizes the licensed cultivation and production of industrial hemp in accordance with rules adopted by the department of agriculture.
- Makes possession of less than two ounces of marijuana a Class C infraction.
- Makes possession of more than two ounces of marijuana a Class B misdemeanor, and makes the offense a Class A misdemeanor if the person has two or more prior convictions involving marijuana in the past five years.
- Requires a court to suspend a sentence imposed for possession of marijuana if the person does not have a previous conviction involving marijuana in the past five years, and requires a court to defer a sentence if the person pleads guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
- Makes the sale or delivery of more than two ounces of marijuana a Class A misdemeanor, and makes the offense a Level 6 or Level 5 felony under certain circumstances.
- Provides a defense if a person who delivers less than 10 pounds of marijuana does so for no consideration.
- Makes the public use or display of marijuana a Class B misdemeanor, and makes the offense a Class A misdemeanor if the person has two or more prior convictions for an offense involving marijuana in the past five years.
- Reduces the penalty for maintaining a common nuisance to a Class A misdemeanor if the only unlawful controlled substances involved were marijuana, hashish, or hash oil.
- Allows certain persons convicted of dealing in marijuana as a misdemeanor to participate in a forensic diversion program.
- Repeals the controlled substance excise tax.
- Makes technical corrections and conforming amendments.
You can find the entire bill here.
We know this is a controversial topic,but many of our members have children with seizures and other medical conditions for which access to medical marijuana might be of benefit. We encourage you to share your thoughts on the bill with your state legislator.
If you need additional resources or support, feel free to contact us 317 944 8982 info@fvindiana.org
You can find your state legislator and contact information here: http://district.iga.in.
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