Shortly after Democrats announced their push for cannabis legalization in Indiana, medical cannabis legalization talk began. That’s when Representative Jim Lucas, R, spoke up. “I have a medical cannabis bill ready to go,” he said. Representative Lucas said he previously submitted a version of this bill, but it never moved out of a committee hearing.
Under this proposed medical cannabis bill, individuals diagnosed with “serious medical conditions” by a licensed doctor can get a medical cannabis prescription. There currently is no defined list of conditions that qualify, it is left to the doctor. Additionally, the “cultivation, testing, processing, transportation, and dispensing,” of medical cannabis is allowed by those with valid state permits. There could potentially be home growth and cultivation of medical cannabis by patients themselves, something other states remain wary of. No official draft or pre-file of this medical cannabis bill has made its way to the Indiana General Assembly. But support is apparent.
Continued Support
Another supporter of medical cannabis for Hoosiers is Representative Sue Errington, D. “The reality is that medical cannabis is becoming an accepted and preferred method of treatment throughout the country,” Representative Errington said during the Indiana House Democratic Caucus on November 29.
“Medical cannabis is a safe, non-addictive alternative to opioids that could benefit Hoosiers who live with chronic pain and anxiety disorders, including our brave veterans who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. Those who have sacrificed so much for our state deserve an effective treatment for their pain, rather than a potential criminal record.”
Indiana currently sits beside three states – Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio – who all offer medical cannabis to qualifying patients. Kentucky lawmakers have also pre-filed two medical cannabis legalization bills for the 2022 regular session. This completely boxes in Indiana by states with or considering cannabis m measures. Furthermore, Illinois and Michigan both offer recreational cannabis to adults 21 and over. Each month, Illinois reports several Hoosiers – along with other out of state residents – travel into the state to purchase legal cannabis. Indiana lawmakers are saying that this is causing the state to lose revenue it would gain if cannabis was legal.
Competition
It’s hard to push for any cannabis legalization when the state’s governor, Eric Holcomb, R, remains opposed to cannabis. And unfortunately, the state has typically been conservative, making cannabis legalization a low issue on the totem pole. But with such a high number of Hoosiers calling for legalization, it seems that a discussion will definitely take place. Whether or not medical cannabis, or recreational cannabis, will become legal in 2022 remains unknown.
“Hoosiers have seen the impact that recreational and medicinal cannabis use has made on the states around us, and not only are they contributing to neighboring states’ economies, Indiana is now on the verge of losing out altogether,” Democrat Party Leader Mike Schmuhl said in a press release. “The Republican supermajority at the statehouse is losing its economic common sense if they do not join Democrats this session in making this opportunity a winner for the Hoosier State.”
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