Several Republican lawmakers in the Indiana House of Representatives have introduced a proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis, FOX 59 reports.
Authored by state Rep. Heath VanNatter (R), the proposal would legalize cannabis possession and consumption by adults aged 21+ and establish a taxed-and-regulated system for the production and retail of cannabis. The program would include a 10% excise tax on cannabis sales
”It’s time for Indiana to join our neighbors and most of the rest of the country in legalizing marijuana,” VanNatter said.
“This unique approach of moving directly to a regulated, adult-use market allows us to engage law enforcement early in the policy-making process to address issues comprehensibly, pragmatically, rather than piecemeal.” — VanNatter, in a statement
The proposal’s future is unclear as its survival in the House is far from guaranteed, and it may face an even tougher battle in the Senate where lawmakers like state Sen. Liz Brown (R) are more favorable to decriminalization language, suggesting that adult-use legalization would be a step too far, the report said.
If approved, however, Indiana would be the first state to jump from cannabis prohibition straight to an adult-use program (there are currently no exceptions for medical use under state law).
Meanwhile, a poll published last November found that a 70% supermajority of Indiana voters support adult-use cannabis legalization. Additionally, Indiana’s neighboring states of Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio have adult-use cannabis programs in effect, while Kentucky has legalized medical cannabis.