Senator looks to refine pot law: Measure would drop misdemeanor offense to Class C infraction

An Indiana lawmaker who represents most of Jackson County plans to introduce legislation reducing penalties on people found in possession of small amounts of marijuana.

“I think we need to make a distinction sorting out those people we are afraid of and those people we are mad at,” state Sen. Brent Steele of Bedford said on Friday afternoon.

Steele, a Republican, said he’ll introduce a bill next session making possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana a Class C infraction, rather than a criminal misdemeanor. Ten grams is equivalent to about one-third of an ounce, or roughly enough to make 20 to 30 marijuana cigarettes.

“It will still be a criminal offense,” Steele said.

Possession of marijuana less than 30 grams is currently a Class A misdemeanor. Anyone arrested with more than 30 grams of marijuana is charged with a Class D felony.

This story appears in the print edition of The Tribune. Subscribers can read the entire story online by signing in here or in our e-Edition by clicking here.