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Marijuana use in Indiana
Marijuana is still the most readily available, and health officials report, the most commonly abused drug in the state. Multikilogram quantities of cannabis are transported to Indiana from the Southwest Border by Mexican DTOs using the interstate system and the same decoy vehicle methods used to transport cocaine.
In 1999, the U.S. Attorneys for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana reported that marijuana was the most frequently abused substance throughout the state. According to the Indiana Division of Mental Health, treatment admissions for cannabis abuse rose from 2,526 in 1998 to 3,928 in 1999. In 1998, the Federal-wide Drug Seizure System (FDSS) reported the quantity of marijuana confiscated in Indiana (1,062 kg) more than doubled from 1997 (497 kg).
From a helicopter, Indiana State Troopers found cannabis growing on a farm close to Corydon, Indiana. An investigation of the barn turned up 1,000 small cannabis plants worth an approximated $10,000.
Source: The Courier Journal, 15 June 2000.
A Gary narcotics detective reports that the Latin Kings dominates marijuana retail distribution operations in the municipality. The gang mainly retails cannabis in the Black Oak and Glen Oak areas.
Decriminalization and legalization
In recent decades, a movement to decriminalize cannabis has arisen in numerous nations. 12 US states have passed by majority vote of the citizenry, laws authorizing some extent of medical use; while a further 6 states have taken steps to decriminalize it to some degree. This movement looks to make simple possession of cannabis punishable by only confiscation or a fine, instead of prison. In the past numerous years, the movement has begin to have some successes. These include Denver, Colorado legalizing possession of up to an ounce of marijuana a broad coalition of political parties in Amsterdam, Netherlands unveiling a pilot program to permit farmers to grow it legally, and Massachusetts voting in favor of a bill to decriminalize the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis.
In Alaska, marijuana was decided legitimate for in-home, personal use under the Ravin vs. State ruling in 1975. This ruling authorized up to four ounces of cannabis for these purposes. A 1991 voter ballot initiative recriminalized cannabis possession, but when that law was eventually challenged in 2004, the Alaska court's upheld the Ravin ruling, saying the common vote could not trump the state constitution. In answer to former Governor Frank Murkowski's successive try to re-criminalize cannabis, the ACLU filed a lawsuit against the state. On July 17, 2006, Superior Court Judge Patricia Collins awarded the Case Summary judgment to the ACLU. In her ruling, she affirmed "No specific argument has been advanced in this case that possession of over a 1 ounce of cannabis, even within the privacy of the home, is constitutionally protected conduct under Ravin or that any plaintiff or ACLU of Alaska member actually possesses more than 1 ounce of cannabis in their homes." This does not signify that the legitimate possession threshold has been reduced to one ounce, as this was a mere case summary review filed by the ACLU, not a full case. Reinforcing Ravin, Collins wrote "A lower court cannot reverse the State Supreme Court's 1975 decision in Ravin v. State" and "Unless and until the Supreme Court directs otherwise, Ravin is the law in this state and this court is duty bound to follow it". The law concerning possession of marijuana has not changed in Alaska, and the Supreme Court has declined to review the case, therefore the law still stands at 4 ounces.
In 2002, Nevada citizens defeated a ballot question which would legalize up to 3 ounces for adults 21 and older by 39% to 61%. In 2006, a similar Nevada ballot initiative, which would have legalized and controlled the production, distribution, and possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana by adults 21 and older, was defeated by 44% to 56%.
In 2001 in the United Kingdom, it was announced that cannabis would become a Class C substance, instead of a Class B, this modification took effect on January 29, 2004. Since then there has recently been certain controversy amongst UK politicians about the message this sends out, with some individuals calling for its reclassification to Class B.
The Government of Mexico voted to legitimate the possession of cannabis under 5 grams on April 28, 2006.Nonetheless, as of May 3, 2006, Mexican President Vicente Fox has said that he will not sign this proposed law until Congress removes the parts that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs] and vetoed the bill on May 4, 2006, sparking broad controversy over the bill. In the early summer of 2006, Fox and the Mexican congress came to an agreement and legalized possession of small quantities (and also measured amounts of other substances). On July 17, 2006, Italian Social Solidarity Minister Paolo Ferrero, talking about the urgent need for depenalising the use of light drugs, said that "a joint is less harmful than a litre of wine." In the Australian Capital Territory, two plants both less than 6 feet tall are permitted for personal use. In Australia nonetheless, possession of cannabis is an offence, with fines ranging from $150 to $300 for possession and cultivation of small quantities. There is much confusion on the subject, with several individuals believing that possession of a certain amount is legal. In South Australia nonetheless, this is a myth.
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