Published: 15 November 2021 / 14:10 (EST).
/ Updated: November 15, 2021 / 2:21 PM EST
FILE – On August 15, 2019, this archive photo shows marijuana growing on an indoor cannabis farm in Gardena, California (AP Photo / Richard Vogel, File)
INDIANAPOLIS – The Democratic Party of Indiana is urging the state of Indiana to legalize marijuana and take advantage of the economic boom brought about by the legalization of neighboring states.
In a statement released Monday, the Indiana Democrats said they plan to introduce various laws to legalize or decriminalize the 2022 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
“Marijuana is a very popular topic, and a large majority of Hoosier wants to see it done. Democrats are ready to take the lead in this effort because it is a win-win for Indiana, and because it will fulfill the consistent promise of the Party to create a better future for Hoosier families. It’s time to legalize recreational cannabis across Indiana, ”said Indiana Democratic Party President Mike Schmuhl.
According to a 2018 poll by Old National Bank and Ball State University, a staggering percentage of Hoosers believe marijuana should be legalized for recreation or medicine, with 8 out of 10 Hoosers voting in favor of legalizing cannabis.
Marion County Attorney Ryan Mears backed his office to push for statewide legalization, a decision not to prosecute mere possession of marijuana cases, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, and outlawing low-level, nonviolent offenders. system.
“Hoosers across the state deserve a fairer and more equitable justice system, and legalizing marijuana is an important step in that reform,” Mears said.
Mears is not the only person in Indiana to oppose marijuana possession, with a 2018 poll showing that 78 percent of Hoosiers do not want marijuana possession to be a pure crime.
Despite this support from voters, Governor Holcomb and Indiana Republicans have come out against legalizing marijuana.
Recently, however, Democrats have called for legalization to garner support for both parties, not only from voters, but also from members of the Indiana Republican Party, calling for various ways to legalize former state senator Jim Merritt and state representative Jim Lucas.
Indiana Democrats said legalizing marijuana would create additional revenue for the state and new well-paid jobs that would keep dollars in the state instead of crossing the $ 64 million spending limit in Michigan. Illinois marijuana legalized.
“The Hoosiers have seen the impact of recreational and drug use on the states around us, and not only is it helping the economies of neighboring states, Indiana is now on the verge of extinction. To become victorious for the state, ”Schmuhl said.
Other benefits of legalization in Indiana Democrats include reducing the consumption of opioid marijuana, alcohol, and prescription drugs, and its effectiveness as a therapeutic for veterans with PTSD and the elderly with chronic pain.
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