Indiana ignores marijuana as neighbors legalize it

Illinois joined 11 states in legalizing recreational marijuana this year, joining Michigan as the second state in the Midwest to legalize the substance.

In Indiana, nine bills related to marijuana died without a committee hearing in 2019, bucking the national trend. Over 30 states allow marijuana prescriptions for medical conditions, such as seizures and chronic pain, including Ohio, but Indiana’s legislature continues to oppose any bills related to the drug.

“It’s really the leadership in the House and governor’s office who are the roadblocks to get medical marijuana in Indiana,” Rep. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, said. “I think if it got out on the floor of the House, it would pass.”

Marijuana bills in 2019 fall into three categories: medical marijuana, recreational marijuana and decriminalization of certain amounts of marijuana.

Seven of the nine bills originated in the House from both Democrats and Republicans. In the Senate, only Democrat Karen Tallian, of Portage, introduced bills for medical marijuana and reducing possession penalties.

“It’s very frustrating. Of course, we’re out of session so our next opportunity will be in January,” Errington, who authored her own proposals in 2019, said. “I suspect all of us who had bills last year will be filing them again.” [Read more at Washington Times Herald]