The Indiana Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law recently passed SB 200 to prosecute ‘noncompliant’ prosecutors who are categorically dropping charges in mass. However, other lawmakers are looking to cannabis reform laws. There are 11 different bills in the Indiana House and Senate that all involve different levels of cannabis reform. Let’s break them down.

Senate

SB 223, sponsored by Karen Tallian (D), would set the legal limit for marijuana possession to no more than two ounces. This is a large increase from the completely illegal status of marijuana possession across the state. Anyone found with more than two ounces will face criminal charges. This is one of the first steps the state has seen that would move it towards legalization. This would be similar to both neighboring states Michigan and Illinois where cannabis use is completely legal.

Another democratic Senate Bill, SB 321, would introduce a five year preliminary medical cannabis program to see how it works. It would troubleshoot any problems that may arise from implementation. After a certain period of time, the state would assess how the program worked. Then they would decide on whether to formally adopt a medical cannabis program and make it legal for qualifying patients. 

There are measures to protect out of state citizens who legally have medical cannabis cards from being prosecuted in Indiana with SB 104. Additionally, it allows terminally ill patients and patients with serious untreatable diseases access to medical marijuana after all other options are explored. Medical professional must show that alternatives did not work for the patient instead of jumping straight to medical marijuana usage. 

House of Representatives

Over in the House, bills filter around as well. HB 1154, created by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), help legalize cannabis possession for citizens over 21. Additionally, it would limit legal dispensaries in the state. The CRA would help regulate both marijuana and hemp regulations and dispensaries. Indiana is actually part of the majority of states that have legalized hemp usage. They’ve adopted the same definition of industrial hemp created in the Farm Bill by the USDA in 2018.

Bipartisan bill HB 1117 brings both democrats and republicans together to help decriminalize the possession of up to two ounces of cannabis. It’s similar in appearance and wording as SB 223. However, it’s strictly about decriminalization of possession instead of additional reform that the Senate bill proposes. 

Each bill is currently in a small committee in it’s respective chamber for further discussion. Currently, there are no announcements on committee hearings. But to know that a conservative state heads towards reform shows potential for other conservative states to follow.

When more news comes from Indiana about cannabis reform, we will make sure to update you. Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.