INDIANAPOLIS — A bill moving through the Indiana statehouse focuses on two ounces of marijuana.
Several lawmakers say Wednesday's testimony on House Bill 1297is the first time a bill of this nature has gotten a hearing.
The bill would allow Hoosiers to posses up to two ounces of marijuana without any criminal punishment
"It's time that Indiana joins all of its neighboring states. Every state around us has some form of legalization — Ohio and Kentucky have medical and Illinois and Michigan have recreational," Republican RepresentativeHeath VanNattersaid.
VanNatter says he was opposed to marijuana legalization when he got elected but has seen public opinion shift.
Last year, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order allowing Kentuckians with certain medical conditions to access medical marijuana. There are multiple conditions.
Several CBD companies spoke in favor of the bill, saying the current prohibition is negatively impacting farmers.
"This criminalization has severely restricted the market for our hemp farmers and small businesses and has resulted in confusing laws. For an example, currently farmers are prohibited from selling hemp flower outside of state lines and can only sell it to a licensed process in the state," Justin Swanson, Midwest Hemp Council representative, said.
Others, like the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indiana State Police and Prosecuting Attorneys Council spoke in opposition.
The Chamber is worried that decriminalization could hurt the workforce by creating confusion surrounding drug testing policies.
"The General Assembly will have to deal with the societal costs that are being discussed and ultimately the impact to the workforce when employers have to navigate through this process," Ashton Eller with the Chamber said.
Rep. Wendy McNamara, the chair of the Courts and Criminal Codes Committee, says she will not bring the bill back for a vote next week. McNamara did not explain to WRTV why the bill wouldn't be brought for a vote.
VanNatter says he will bring the bill back again next year.
Decriminalizing marijuana and advancing legislation to make it legally accessible was one of the priorities for Senate Democrats this session.
Last year, Gov. Eric Holcomb said he will not consider blanket pardons for all prior offenses of simple possession of marijuana despite President Biden's announcement of a plan to do so on the federal level.
RELATED: Marijuana bills filed for Indiana 2023 legislative session | December survey shows majority of Hoosiers favor marijuana legalization
-
Supreme Court allows Trump's ban on transgender troops to take effect
The U.S. Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to enforce its ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
Bargersville secures over $2M for new roundabout to improve traffic and safety
Bargersville has been awarded a $2 million federal grant from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization to construct a new roundabout at the busy intersection of SR 135 and SR 144.
Farmers continue to make planting progress despite cool, rainy weather
The latest crop report is out, and despite the cool, rainy weather recently, it seems Indiana farmers are making planting progress.
Road rage victim resurrected through AI to deliver his own impact statement
A man who was killed in a road rage incident in Chandler, Arizona was brought back to life through artificial intelligence to deliver his own victim impact statement during his killer’s sentencing.
