Indiana State Senator Jean Liesing (R-42nd District) filed a bill last week that may successfully crack open the door to cannabis law reform in The Hoosier State.
Senate Bill No. 72 would give physicians the right to conduct trials on the effectiveness of CBD medications for children. The proposal — called the ‘Cannabis for kids’ law by The Courier-Journal — would protect doctors from prosecution when prescribing controlled substances as medication for such a purpose. Before it was officially proposed, Liesing’s bill was approved 10-0 by an interim study committee, which approved the kids-only CBD legislation.
Sen. Karen Tallian (D-4th District) and Rep. Sue Errington (D-34th District) have each submitted several proposals in the past for various forms of cannabis law reform, including decriminalization and medical legalization attempts, but none have yet reached fruition.
Errington said that SB72 is “a good step.” However, “I think it’s just a first step, because there are a lot of other conditions that could be helped. I mean the pain of cancer, glaucoma, hepatitis C, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s, PTSD. Veterans organizations have really come out strong for their medical marijuana bill because of the implications for treating PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).”
Currently, it remains illegal in Indiana to possess, cultivate, and consume cannabis in any form.