The Indiana Democratic party is mounting a push for marijuana legalization and calling on state lawmakers to enact the reform.<\/p>\n
If the GOP-controlled legislature fails to pass a legalization bill during the 2022 session, the party organization said Democrats are prepared to campaign on the issue, leveraging the popularity of ending prohibition among Indiana voters.<\/p>\n
\n.@INDems<\/a> want to create a better future for Hoosiers across Indiana. Legalizing cannabis will accomplish this goal. <\/p>\n
The idea is common sense, supported by a majority of Hoosiers, and will take Indiana\u2019s economy to the #NextLevel<\/a>. Let\u2019s get this done. #LegalizeIN<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/UumpR5rbaT<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Indiana Democrats (@INDems) November 15, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\u201cLegalizing marijuana is a win-win for Indiana, and it should get done this legislative session,\u201d the party said on Monday. \u201cIf the Republicans fail to join Democrats in this effort, it will become a hallmark issue for the 2022 state and midterm elections.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Democratic organization pointed to a 2018 poll<\/a> that showed about 80 percent of Indianans favor legalizing cannabis for either medical or recreational purposes, and 78 percent agreed that simple possession should be decriminalized.<\/p>\n
\nMore than 80% of Hoosiers support some form of marijuana legalization. Also, 78% of Hoosiers believe no person should be charged with simple possession. <\/p>\n
This is why @INDems<\/a> supports legalizing recreational cannabis across Indiana. #LegalizeIN<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/dS06nDKls7<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Indiana Democrats (@INDems) November 15, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Legalization \u201cwould provide the opportunity to create an additional revenue stream for the state, create good-paying jobs, develop a long-term cash crop for Indiana\u2019s ag and business communities, provide medicinal opportunities for people like the state\u2019s veterans and seniors, and could start the process of expunging records for simple possession across the state,\u201d the party said.<\/p>\n
The organization is also calling on Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) to \u201crescind his opposition to marijuana.\u201d<\/p>\n
The governor said in 2019 that he would not support legalization until the federal government ended prohibition, and even then he said the state would need to closely review the issue before enacting a policy change.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the law changed, we would look at all the positive or adverse impacts it would have,\u201d Holcomb, who also admitted that he used cannabis during college, said<\/a> at the time. \u201cI\u2019m not convinced other states have made a wise decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nRight now, Hoosiers are handing states like Michigan and Illinois millions of dollars in revenue for legal cannabis. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s time to legalize weed because it\u2019ll create jobs, bring opportunity to farmers, and deliver revenue to Indiana\u2019s economy. #LegalizeIN<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/BlRXSjNS84<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Indiana Democrats (@INDems) November 15, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
The state Democratic party said<\/a> on Monday that \u201cwaiting on the federal government to legalize cannabis does not only contradict the \u2018local government\u2019 approach by both Indiana Democrats and Republicans, but it\u2019ll set the state\u2019s economic and manufacturing opportunities behind the rest of the nation once nationwide legalization does become reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
They also noted that neighboring Illinois and Michigan have legalized marijuana for adult use and Ohio has a medical cannabis program.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoosiers have seen the impact that recreational and medicinal cannabis use has made on the states around us, and not only are they contributing to neighboring states\u2019 economies, Indiana is now on the verge of losing out altogether,\u201d Mike Schmuhl, chairman of the party, said in a press release. \u201cThe Republican supermajority at the statehouse is losing its economic common sense if they do not join Democrats this session in making this opportunity a winner for the Hoosier State.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAs it stands, Black Hoosiers are 3.75 times more likely to be arrested for simple cannabis possession. That injustice must end. <\/p>\n
Legalizing cannabis will create an opportunity to expunge criminal records of all Hoosiers who were charged for possession of marijuana. #LegalizeIN<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/K0o3IE5D6u<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Indiana Democrats (@INDems) November 16, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Illinois retailers have already sold more than $1 billion worth of legal adult-use cannabis<\/a> so far in 2021.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarijuana is a really popular issue, and a large majority of Hoosiers want to see this get done,\u201d Schmuhl said. \u201cDemocrats are ready to take the lead on this effort because it\u2019s a win-win for Indiana, and it\u2019ll fulfill the Party\u2019s consistent promise of creating a better future for Hoosier families. It\u2019s time to legalize recreational cannabis across Indiana.\u201d<\/p>\n
The party also said that Democratic lawmakers \u201cplan to introduce various forms of legalization or decriminalization legislation for the Indiana General Assembly\u2019s 2022 legislative session.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLegalizing cannabis is a common-sense solution a huge majority of Hoosiers want, and Democrats are ready to get this done,\u201d the group concluded.<\/p>\n
The announcement from the Indiana Democratic Party starkly contrasts with a statement released by the South Carolina Republican Party on Monday. The latter organization voiced opposition to a new congressional legalization bill<\/a> being championed by a GOP lawmaker who represents the state.<\/p>\n
\nBiden Signs Infrastructure Bill Promoting Marijuana Research By Encouraging Access To Dispensary Products<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Photo courtesy of WeedPornDaily<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
The post Indiana Democratic Party Backs Marijuana Legalization And Pledges 2022 Reform Push<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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