Indiana GOP lawmakers push for legalization proposals

A Republican legislature in Indiana is pushing two bills that would bring legal marijuana to the Hoosier State.

GOP State Senator Jon Ford “recently signed two bills into law this term related to cannabis and its possible future uses in the state,” according to local news station WTWO/WAWV, with lawmakers saying “they want to start these discussions … because the area , which he represents, borders Illinois, where recreational marijuana is legal.”

Ford said he was propelled to support the measures after speaking with law enforcement officials who said the discrepancy between Indiana and other bordering states has caused confusion.

“It’s hard for law enforcement to understand where we are on this issue, so I really wanted to support the bill so we can have this discussion,” Ford told WTWO/WAWV.

Ford authored the two bills with two Democratic lawmakers.

Senate Bill 336 would establish “a process for the lawful production and sale of cannabis in Indiana.”

Senate Bill 377, meanwhile, would state the following:

“Permits the use of cannabis by: (1) a person at least 21 years of age; and (2) a person with a serious medical condition as determined by the person’s physician. Sets the excise tax on adult cannabis use and requires a retailer to remit the tax to the Department of Government Revenue for payment to the general sovereign wealth fund. Exempts veterans from paying sales tax on medicinal or adult cannabis. Establishes a cannabis program to enable the cultivation, processing, testing, transportation and sale of cannabis by valid permit holders. Establishes the Indiana Cannabis Commission (ICC) as the state agency to oversee, implement and enforce the program and establishes the ICC Advisory Committee to review the effectiveness of the program. Requires permit holders to take steps to prevent diversion of cannabis to unauthorized parties. Requires cannabis and cannabis products to be properly labelled, placed in child-resistant packaging and tested by an independent testing laboratory before being offered for sale. Bans packaging of cannabis in a way that is appealing to children. Approves research on cannabis in accordance with the rules established by the ICC. Establishes a procedure for overturning a cannabis-related conviction if the act giving rise to the conviction becomes final. Makes compliant changes.”

However, there is likely a long way to go before both bills become law this year.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, a Republican, previously said he wasn’t keen on the state legalizing marijuana before the federal government.

“The law that needs to be changed is federal law,” Holcomb said in 2021. “It’s currently illegal for recreational use and for medical use.” There are states that have ignored this law. I will not ignore any law whether I agree or disagree or disagree with it, so that is the law that needs to be changed.”

But last year, after President Joe Biden announced he would pardon all those with federal cannabis convictions, Holcomb said Indiana would not follow the White House’s example.

“The President should work with Congress, not around him, to discuss federal legislative changes, especially when he’s asking governors to overturn the work of local prosecutors by simply enforcing the law,” Holcomb said at the time. “Until these federal law changes come about, I cannot in good conscience contemplate granting blanket pardons to all of these offenders.”