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Indiana Democrats Announce Push for Recreational Cannabis for Next Session

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As neighboring states begin to embrace cannabis reform, Indiana could be one of the next to embrace medical and recreational cannabis, as the Indiana Democratic Party will be pushing for reform during the next legislative session, according to reporting for WTHR 13.

As of right now, possession of cannabis in the state is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. For those with prior convictions or possessing larger amounts of cannabis, jail time can amount to a year or more. Indiana does allow the sale of CBD products and for farmers to commercially grow and process hemp.

However, Democrats in the state point to the polls, which show that nearly 80 percent of residents agree with legalizing cannabis for medical use, recreational use or both, and those numbers have only gone up over time.

“Also, 78 percent of Hoosiers believe no person should be charged with simple possession,” Indiana Democrats tweeted. “This is why [Indiana Democrats] supports legalizing recreational cannabis across Indiana. #LegalizeIN.”

Nearby states Michigan, Illinois and Ohio have all legalized cannabis in some way

“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,” said Mike Schmuhl, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party. “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.”

There has been some recent progress, however. In 2019, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said they would no longer prosecute “simple” cannabis charges, meaning those who are picked up for having an ounce or less of cannabis.

“Our priority is violent crime,” Prosecutor Ryan Mears said at the time. “We are not going to mess around with these small possession of marijuana cases.”

The changes followed a collection of minor cannabis cases clogging the courts, overcrowding jails and taxing resources that leaders said would be better spent fighting violent criminals.

Following the move, hundreds of cases were dismissed. Mears chimed in and issued a new statement after the state’s Democratic Party announced the push to legalize cannabis in Indiana.

“The continued criminalization of marijuana increases racial disparities in our criminal justice system and limits economic opportunities,” Mears said. “The decision by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office to no longer prosecute simple possession of marijuana cases has saved taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and has kept low-level and non-violent offenders out of our legal system.”

He added in a tweet that Indiana residents “deserve a more fair and equitable justice system,” and that cannabis legalization is a “significant step” toward that reform.

Indiana Democrats also indicate that legalizing cannabis will help to boost the economy and create new job opportunities.

“Marijuana is a really popular issue, and a large majority of Hoosiers want to see this get done. Democrats are ready to take the lead on this effort because it’s a win-win for Indiana, and it’ll fulfill the party’s consistent promise of creating a better future for Hoosier families. It’s time to legalize recreational cannabis across Indiana,” Schmuhl said.

This also isn’t the first move in the state to move toward legal cannabis, with members of both the Democratic and Republican parties attempting to pass reform in the past and failing.Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has also voiced his opposition to cannabis legalization in the past, saying in 2018 that he is “just not willing to look at that, especially since it is illegal right now according to the federal government.” He’s also indicated in the past that he would not approve legalization measures without more research.