Democrat leaders in the Hoosier state say they will push for cannabis legalization in 2022. This is despite the state being largely Republican controlled. In addition to a Republican state, Governor Eric Holcomb, R, has traditionally been against any legalization measure. This has made it difficult for any cannabis legalization discussion within the state’s congress.

However, Democrats argue that legalization would bring revenue and jobs to the state. In a recent announcement from the party, legalization “would provide the opportunity to create an additional revenue stream for the state, create good-paying jobs, develop a long-term cash crop for Indiana’s ag and business communities, provide medicinal opportunities for people like the state’s veterans and seniors, and could start the process of expunging records for simple possession across the state.”

Public Support

Democrat leaders aren’t the only ones who support cannabis legalization. In 2018, the party released a poll showing that 80 percent of Hoosiers favor legalization of either medical or recreational cannabis. Additionally, 78 percent of Hoosiers believe simple cannabis possession should be decriminalized.

​​“Hoosiers 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’ economies, Indiana is now on the verge of losing out altogether,” Democrat Party Leader Mike Schmuhl said in a press release. “The 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.”

Neighboring states Illinois and Michigan both offer recreational cannabis sales to adults 21 and over. Hoosiers travel across state borders to make their cannabis purchases, taking revenue out of the state. Most recently, Illinois cannabis retailers sold over $1 billion in recreational cannabis products. It’s safe to assume Hoosiers contributed to those sales. 

Next Steps

For Hoosiers, the state does not allow for citizen ballot initiatives. This leaves citizens depending on lawmakers to follow through with their campaign pledges and listen to the citizens they represent. It appears lawmakers oppose legalization as well as decriminalizing cannabis as they are pushing for a law which would replace noncompliant District Attorneys with compliant ones, especially with issues regarding possession. Tennessee followed suit recently with a similar law by taking away case discretion power from elected officials.

For Indiana Democrats, the journey ahead will be a long one. But they seem determined to make it work. “Legalizing cannabis is a common-sense solution a huge majority of Hoosiers want, and Democrats are ready to get this done,” the group concluded. As more information becomes available, we will update you with the latest.

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