Will Indiana Take Another Pass At Marijuana Legalization In 2022?

Will Indiana Take Another Pass At Marijuana Legalization In 2022?

Lawmakers are taking another whack at marijuana legalization in Indiana. Here’s what you need to know:

CURRENT OVERVIEW

• As the 2022 legislative session approaches, marijuana legalization is a top priority for Indiana Democrats. In November, House Democrats announced support for medical and recreational legalization of marijuana.

• Rep. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, held a community talking circle in Muncie on legalizing medical marijuana. Errington has been pushing for medical marijuana legislation for a few years.

• But without support from the Republican supermajority, legalization most likely won’t happen during the 2022 session.

• Some Republicans have voiced support for legalization. At least three lawmakers have introduced marijuana legislation for this session, including Errington, D-Muncie; Jim Lucas, R-Seymour; and Rep. Cindy Ziemke, R-Batesville.

• In early December, Gov. Eric Holcomb told Indy Politics that he would support Indiana lawmaker efforts to create an infrastructure system for the cannabis industry in the state so Indiana can “flip the switch” if the federal law changes. This is part of Errington’s proposed bill, which would establish a cannabis regulatory commission.

• The Indiana Chamber of Commerce testified in a study committee against the legalization of marijuana for recreational use and for medicinal use until more studies were done on the substance by the Food and Drug Administration.

IN THE MINORITY

• Indiana is one of 12 states where marijuana is illegal (with the exception of CBD oil).

• Surrounding states Michigan, Illinois and Ohio have legalized marijuana in some form. Michigan and Illinois have legalized recreational marijuana while Ohio has legalized it for medicinal uses only.

• According to the Indiana Democrats, 80% of Hoosiers support some sort of legalization effort.

A HAZY HISTORY

• Holcomb said in 2019 that he would only support marijuana legalization with more studying and if the federal government legalized it nationally.

• That year, two bills were authored by former Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes. Tallian announced her retirement in September and wrote an op-ed about her decade-long fight in the senate for marijuana legalization in October.

• In a debate for the 2020 gubernatorial election, candidates Dr. Woody Myers, democrat, and Donald Rainwater, libertarian, voiced support for the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. Holcomb said he could not support marijuana legalization without further studies being done.

The legislative session begins Tuesday.