Indiana Democratics put marijuana legalization front and center

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - The Indiana Democratic Party, in a series of social media posts, has placed legalization of marijuana back into the political discussion ahead of the 2022 elections.

In one tweet, Indiana Democrats called the move “common sense, supported by a majority of Hoosiers, and (an idea) that will take Indiana’s economy to the #NextLevel.” The Allen County branch of the party joined in Monday morning, endorsing the position.

Recent efforts to reform cannabis law in Indiana have failed to gain legislative traction.

Not all proposals have come from Democratic lawmakers. State Rep. Jim Lucas, a Republican from Seymour, introduced HB 1028 this past session -- a measure that aimed to decriminalize marijuana. It found progress in the House but died in the Senate.

While Indiana has yet to take any significant steps toward legalization, neighboring states, such as Michigan and Illinois, have approved general cannabis use, while Ohio has introduced a comprehensive medical marijuana program. The pro-legalization “Marijuana Policy Project” says Indiana is “now one of only 14 states with no effective medical cannabis law, and one of only 19 that still imposes jail time for simple possession of cannabis.”

Legalization efforts have generated significant opposition, as well, and the US Department of Health and Human Services maintains a web page warning of the risks of marijuana use.

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