Indiana lawmakers to study legalizing marijuana

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - State lawmakers will soon begin studying whether Indiana should amend its drug laws to decriminalize marijuana, create a medical marijuana program or make other changes.

The General Assembly's criminal law and sentencing policy study committee will examine different angles of the marijuana issue. The committee's first meeting is next week, though it's not clear whether marijuana laws will be discussed then or during future meetings.

Democratic state Sen. Karen Tallian of Ogden Dunes says she considers marijuana in the same category as alcohol. She pushed for the study committee and says Indiana has "draconian" marijuana laws.

Medical marijuana is available in 16 states and the District of Columbia, and 13 states have eliminated certain penalties for small amounts of marijuana.