Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to not instate blanket pardons for minor marijuana offenses 

On Oct.17, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb mentioned he gained’t present leniency to Indiana residents for minor marijuana offenses, regardless of President Biden’s request for governors to think about state- stage pardons.

The Biden administration introduced a plan to pardon 1000’s of offenders convicted for easy marijuana possession on the federal stage on Oct. 6., in response to a press release from the White Home. Different states governors have taken motion in response to Biden’s assertion, although, many would not have the authority to pardon. Some, like Holcomb, have mentioned they don’t plan to instate blanket pardons for folks with minor marijuana convictions.   

“The President ought to work with Congress, not round them, to debate adjustments to the legislation federally,” Holcomb mentioned in a press release to WTHR.  

Although Holcomb’s assertion doesn’t sign assist for whole decriminalization, he agrees that many minor marijuana offenses should not deserving of life sentences after a person has served their time. 

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Indiana’s present legislation states that those that are convicted of possession might be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. The cost escalates to a stage Six felony if the particular person has a previous conviction for a drug offense and possesses no less than 30 grams of marijuana.  

Regardless of the strict Indiana code, Monroe County has taken steps to cut back the quantity of judicial sources allotted for easy possession marijuana offenses. But, in a 2019 assertion, Monroe County Prosecutor Erika Oliphant said that she can not legally concern a blanket refusal to prosecute possession expenses, although she helps decriminalization.  

A 2020 Monroe County Felony Justice and Incarceration Research discovered that 80% of marijuana circumstances finish earlier than incarceration by way of the Pretrial Diversion Program. This system might require people to take part in alcohol and drug schooling programs and substance abuse prevention packages, in response to the Prosector’s web site. 

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The Pretrial Diversion Program aids in lowering jail and jail overcrowding attributable to minor drug offenses, which is a persisting drawback in Monroe County. The identical 2020 examine discovered the each day inmate inhabitants of Monroe County Jail has exceeded its purposeful capability every single day on most days since 2004 and all days per yr consecutively since 2015. 

In 2021, 39% of all reported drug-related arrests in Indiana had been particular to marijuana, although this determine is an undercount.  

The Biden administration has acknowledged marijuana arrests account for a big a part of jail and jail overcrowding, which is a big motive for the federal pardon. 

“Sending folks to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated folks for conduct that many states not prohibit,” Biden mentioned.  

Hoosiers shouldn’t anticipate state pardons or for Indiana marijuana statutes to alter following Gov. Holcomb’s assertion.