Supporters cite money-saving aspects of marijuana law - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

A proposed change in Indiana marijuana laws means you would be ticketed - not arrested, not tried, not sent to jail - for possessing small amounts of pot. Fourteen states have lessened the crime on marijuana.

About gram of marijuana, barely enough to make single cigarette, has Justin Beagle in a ton of trouble.

"It is like the tip of my finger. Not even that much marijuana. It's next to nothing," said Beagle.

Beagle says his first offense could him six months in jail, and a $5,000 fine.

"The consequences for the crime itself is...outrageous," he said.

State Sen. Brent Steele agrees, contending Indiana has criminals much more dangerous to prosecute and punish than people caught with small amounts of marijuana.

"We are wasting way too much money. Thousands and thousands of dollars are involved in the prosecution of it," Steele said.

Under Steele's planned legislation, having an ounce or less of marijuana would change from a misdemeanor to a less serious infraction. No trial - just a $500 fine. That would free up courts, jails and tax dollars to fight other crimes.

"There is police time. There is court time. There is witness time. There is prosecution time. It's millions and millions of dollars for sure," said Carl Brizzi, former Marion County prosecutor and current defense attorney.

Brizzi supports what some call decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

"There are lots of young people who have permanent black marks on their criminal records for a couple of grams of marijuana, which is certainly not very much," said Brizzi.

But it's certain to cause quite a controversy in the up coming legislative session.