An Indiana state senator has proposed two bills aimed at enacting cannabis reforms including the legalization of adult-use cannabis. Introduced by Sen. Karen Tallian (D), bills SB 87 and SB 223 would set up a “Cannabis Compliance Commission” that would regulate all forms of legal cannabis in Indiana and decriminalize up to two ounces, Cincinnati’s Fox 19 reports.
Citing inequitable drug laws and how neighboring states have addressed the issue, Sen. Tallian said in a Facebook post, “I will be fighting for these bills because legalizing marijuana is the right thing to do. ” According to Sen. Tallian, 45 percent of drug arrests in Indiana are for cannabis and Black Hoosiers are 3.5 times more likely to get arrested for cannabis than their white counterparts.
“Our neighboring states have made efforts to address unjust marijuana laws, and it’s time for us to do the same. That’s why I authored SB 87 and 223 this session, to allow for the regulation and legalization of marijuana in our state.” — Indiana Sen. Karen Tallian, in a post
Although several surrounding states have taken steps to relax their cannabis laws, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb seems unwilling to pass significant reforms due to the plant’s federal designation as a Schedule I narcotic. “I’m just not willing to look at that, especially since it is illegal right now according to the federal government,” he said in 2018. “Right now, it’s a crime. I’m just simply not willing to look the other way.”
This stance comes despite the governor admitting in a 2019 press conference that he “smoked weed” in college, according to an Indianapolis Star report.
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