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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA Republican-backed group pushing Indiana’s lawmakers to “adopt safe and regulated” marijuana policies launched on Wednesday.
“By embracing a smart and evidence-based approach that prioritizes public health, safety, and economic opportunity, we can give Hoosiers the access that they deserve and demand,” spokesman Joe Elsener said in an inaugural news release. Elsener was previously executive director of the Indiana Republican Party and chair of Marion County’s GOP.
The organization, Safe and Regulated Indiana, already has a multimedia advertisement live. In its materials, the group avoided any variation of the word “legalization,” instead focusing on “regulation.”
“It’s time, Indiana—time to tax and regulate marijuana for adults 21 and up, just like alcohol,” the voice-over says.
The spot asserts that this would bring new tax revenue, put “drug dealers out of business,” and free up law enforcement to focus on bigger problems like violent crimes.
“Tell your legislator it’s time for safe and regulated marijuana,” the video concludes.
A message seeking more information on coalition members and funding was not immediately returned.
Two members of the group—an Indianapolis lawmaker and a former state firefighter union leader—echoed those arguments in the new release.
“I have spent my entire career in public safety, and I know the current policy is not working. It is time to come together and fix it,” said Tom Hanify, a veteran and retired past president of the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana. “By thoughtfully and responsibly creating a safe and regulated marketplace, Indiana can take money out of the pockets of criminals and invest in Hoosiers.”
Indianapolis City-County Councilor Michael-Paul Hart said that, “By adopting best practices and regulating marijuana similar to tobacco and alcohol, Indiana can better prevent access to minors, shut down illegal drug dealers, create thousands of new job opportunities, and bring hundreds of millions of dollars of new revenue to our state.”
Three of Indiana’s neighbors—Illinois, Michigan, Ohio—have legalized recreational marijuana for adults. Kentucky has legalized medical cannabis. But Hoosier lawmakers and leaders—including outgoing Gov. Eric Holcomb—have resisted pushes for legalization.
Gov.-elect Mike Braun said he was open to legalizing the drug for medical purposes in an October debate. He cautioned, though, that he would weigh law enforcement concerns heavily.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.
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It’s time Indiana! It’s not as though Indiana would be a trail blazer. There is plenty of data from other states that would enable us to maximize the positives and minimize the negatives.
Like it was on betting!
My sister was hospitalized in the ICU for 17 days two years ago for vaping THC, which she legally bought from a dispensary in Illinois. She almost died and had multiple seizures. It’s changed everything for our family. It’s not safe or regulated and from the overwhelming number of physicians we spoke with during that time period, they said this is increasing everyday. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis. Give it a read. And will it happen to everyone who smokes? No. Is it worth it to take the chance? Everyone has/is entitled to their own opinion. Mine is a hard no.
We can legalize flower and edibles without legalizing the vape.
This sounds like a result of the vape, not the THC, and is probably extremely rare. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis is extremely rare and occurs after many, many years of usage. Seizures are not a symptom of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis. It sounds like there have been other underlying issues that may have triggered the response.
Regardless, people need to know their limits, just like with tobacco and alcohol. Prohibition hasn’t worked on any kind of substance, so why should we continue the practice? There are people with allergies to tobacco and can’t drink alcohol at all, but that hasn’t been a basis to call for the reintroduction of prohibition.
Vaping is the reason not pot,
Roll it smoke it.
Dr.s are afraid of everything
Indiana was the last state in the US to legalize Sunday Alcohol sales. I see it being the same for Cannabis sales.
This is a bad idea. When states legalize and think they will get rich with the tax, it doesn’t happen. What does happen (other states can confirm) is that illegal unregulated weed sales increase. It’s cheaper, stronger and the “sales rep” will bring it to your door. We don’t need to keep up with the cool kids on this one.
The thing is, Indiana is such a small state and touching so many states that are legal. People are willing to drive to get it and we loose all that revenue. And, they bring it into the state anyway. It’s time to make it legal and get in on the action. While it won’t be a windfall of tax dollars, it will certainly help.
Prohibition doesn’t work; it just creates a black market. People who want to get high have access to the drug, and always have (even before neighboring states legalized it). It’s not about keeping up with the cool kids. It’s about creating policies that allow people to safely consume a product they are already consuming.
That has not been the case in any state which as legalized, but okay. 11 states have seen a revenue increase of $3 billion/year.
If you set the rate too high yes. Prices in Illinois and Michigan are different because the tax rate is.
The idea that every one is suddenly going to get high or be a junkie is ridiculous. Everyone who wants to, is doing it anyway. Probably those lawmakers who want to legalize it, too. Just do it and stop pretending there’s a moral high ground here. Alcohol is so much worse.
I suspect if one were to follow the money, you’d find this to be a group fronted by those who hope to be granted a government-enforced license that is limited to just folks like them.
Which they will maintain by writing out legislators sweet, sweet campaign checks.
Go ahead and legalize it. But let’s make sure that those who stand to benefit aren’t those who are coming up with the rules.
Greed raises it’s ugly head again and look who is at the front of the line to collect the money: our government. No surprises here, but no matter how much revenue is raised, it is never enough to satisfy the insatiable desires of those all-knowing politicians who will likely make out like bandits with their connections, like usual. Shame on us, in following the crowd (other states) down the moral depravity basement of the world. We’ve got booze, lotteries, horse racing, now drugs. I guess prostitution will be the next thing to legalize and tax. I just wish if these things are so great, and so profitable, that we could find a way to eliminate property taxes for seniors, or lower income taxes, but we never seem to do anything but INCREASE taxes more and more.
Why shouldn’t prostitution be legal? There’s obviously a need for it.
The current situation with delta 8 products being sold at every convenience store in the state is a joke. It is effectively legal. So, do it right. Regulate it and tax it.