Indiana Democrats hope the state party’s support of marijuana legalization can become a political victory for them. But political scientists say achieving that will likely take considerable time and effort.

The Indiana Democratic Party is throwing its weight behind marijuana legalization ahead of the 2022 state legislative session.

Marijuana legalization in any form is still extremely unlikely in Indiana next year, despite a renewed push from Democrats on the issue.

The Democratic candidate for Indiana attorney general is calling on the state to legalize marijuana, saying that doing so would reduce the state's prison and jail populations and generate millions of dollars for public education.

The legislation said if a local prosecutor makes a policy decision not to prosecute certain crimes, the Indiana Attorney General could appoint a special prosecutor to do so and charge the county to pay for it.

A Senate committee approved a bill Tuesday that retaliates against Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears over his decision not to prosecute simple marijuana possession.

Marijuana advocates gathered outside the Statehouse Monday in support of several bills. Lawmakers who spoke at the rally say they don't expect legalization this year.

The Lake County Council endorsed an ordinance Tuesday that would give sheriff's deputies the discretion to write tickets for possessing less than 30 grams of marijuana.

Shortly after he became interim Marion County Prosecutor, Ryan Mears made it policy to dismiss simple marijuana possession cases. He has since been elected to fulfill Terry Currys term through Dec. 31, 2022.

The announcement comes one day after Acting Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said his office would not press criminal charges against those found with less than one ounce of marijuana.