The Republican governor says he won’t consider legalization of any type because it would be going against federal laws, never mind the potential tax revenue from legal cannabis and the ongoing criminal justice crisis that prohibition has wrought.
Indiana Gov. Remains Strongly Anti-Legalization
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Despite a growing number of U.S. states moving away from cannabis prohibition — and the two-thirds majority of American voters who now support legalizing adult-use cannabis — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) says he is “just not willing to look at that,” The Associated Press reports.
Several state lawmakers, meanwhile, are attempting to organize legislation to relax the state’s cannabis restrictions, including bills for both medical and adult-use legalization.
“I’m just not willing to look at that, especially since it is illegal right now according to the federal government. … Right now, it’s a crime. I’m just simply not willing to look the other way.” — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, to reporters
Gov. Holcomb did sign legislation earlier this year to allow hemp-derived CBD to be sold in the state. According to Holcomb, however, he’s not even tempted by the boost in state tax revenues that would be wrought from adult-use or even medical cannabis legislation.
“Fortunately, we’re in a state that’s in a strong position, fiscally speaking, so we’re not maybe looking to every potential source without addressing all the adverse effects that come with it,” he said.
Currently, there are 10 U.S. states that have ended cannabis prohibition entirely and more than 30 with established medical cannabis laws.
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