Indiana Senate Republicans Will Push For Tougher Drug Dealing Penalties

INDIANAPOLIS -- Senate Republicans will push this session to make it easier for prosecutors to try to convict people as drug dealers.  

Indiana’s recent criminal code reform required prosecutors to have evidence besides just the weight of a drug to prove someone was dealing drugs – for instance, scales and plastic baggies. Indianapolis Republican Sen. Mike Young wants to eliminate that extra requirement if a person is caught with at least 30 pounds of marijuana or 10 grams of other drugs.  Young notes those amounts are just a starting point and could change.

“It’s probably the amount that would be more than someone could use for their personal use,” he said.

But Bloomington Democratic Rep. Matt Pierce says the only way to win the war on drugs is to halt the demand – which he says means focusing on treatment and rehabilitation.

“You’re never going to be able to cut off the supply because the minute you take that one person off the street who has more than 10 grams, one hour later there’s going to be another person right in their place,” Pierce said.

Pierce acknowledges that a minimum weight to prove dealing might be prudent…but isn’t sure if Young’s amounts are high enough.