Indiana Governor-elect Mike Braun has signalled its “probably time” medical marijuana was legalised in his state.
Indiana is one of only a handful of US states not having a medical cannabis program – but it is surrounded by states that, or will soon, do. However, it is lawful for any person to buy, sell, and possess CBD oil if it meets labeling requirements and contains no more than 0.3 percent THC.
There’s plenty of support among Hoosiers for medical marijuana. The 2024 Hoosier Survey, conducted by the Bowen Center for Public Affairs at Ball State University, indicates 62 percent favor recreational and medicinal legalization and an additional 25 percent support medicinal-only legalization.
There have been several serious attempts to legalise medical marijuana in the state.
Flagging the ongoing solid support, Mike Braun said:
“To me that’s probably a sign that we need to do whatever the smartest method has been among the other 30 that have done it. And it’s probably time for it to have found its way to Indiana on the medical side.”
As for recreational marijuana, that would first require discussion with law enforcement agencies he reportedly said. A recent poll from a new Republican-backed group, Safe and Regulated Indiana, found seventy percent of registered voters surveyed either strongly or somewhat supported legalization for Hoosiers over the age of 21, compared to 27% opposed.
Safe and Regulated Indiana is advocating for the regulation and taxation of marijuana, just like tobacco and alcohol are.
The group says legalising it will generate hundreds of millions in tax revenue, create job opportunities and shut down illegal drug dealers. It’s proposing guardrails including standards for purity, processing methods, and product labeling, and rules to prevent marketing and advertising products to individuals under 21 years of age.
“… legalization would alleviate the burden on our law enforcement agencies. Officers could redirect their efforts towards combating hard drugs and violent crimes, ultimately enhancing public safety, and making our communities stronger.”
According to the group, law enforcement in Indiana arrested an individual for marijuana every 60 minutes in 2023.
“As of September 2024, 24 states – including our neighbors Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois – have legalized adult-use marijuana,” states the organization. “We’ve learned from these states what parts of legalization has worked and what hasn’t. Now is the time for Indiana to do it in the best way for Hoosiers.”
