State lawmakers will study whether to legalize marijuana or reduce criminal penalties on small amounts of the drug.
Members of Indiana's Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee were set to begin studying the issue Thursday.
Democratic state Sen. Karen Tallian of Ogden Dunes successfully pushed lawmakers to study the issue. She says the state has "draconian" marijuana laws.
Lawmakers have approved medical marijuana in 16 states and the District of Columbia. They have eliminated penalties on small amounts of marijuana in 13 other states.
Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he would like to wait and see what the panel finds before taking a position.
Indiana lawmakers this year banned the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana, also called spice.
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