News Archive
Professor Schumm Discusses Change to Marion County Marijuana Possession Policy with WISH
10/01/2019
A recent change in policy regarding how the Marion County Prosecutor's Office will treat cases of marijuana possession has been met with sharp responses from some in law enforcement. IU McKinney Professor Joel Schumm appeared on WISH news September 30 to discuss the change.
The policy change came after Terry Curry, '78, announced he was stepping down from his role as Marion County Prosecutor for health reasons. Acting Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, '06, announced that the office would no longer prosecute adults on marijuana possession cases of less than 1 ounce when that charge is the only or the most serious charge.
The Indiana Attorney General called the change a "welcome mat for lawbreakers," and Professor Schumm said reactions of those type were grandstanding. He agrees with Mears in that there is no clear connection between minor marijuana possession and violent crime.
Professor Schumm is a magna cum laude graduate of IU McKinney who directs the Appellate Clinic and the Judicial Externship Program.
