Indiana Statehouse representatives Sue Errington (D) and Jim Lucas (R) may come from opposite ends of the political spectrum, but they agree on one major issue: legalizing marijuana in Indiana. Despite their differing stances on many topics, both see the potential benefits of marijuana legalization, including significant tax revenue for the state and relief for residents seeking alternative treatments.
Errington and Lucas both point to surrounding states—Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio—which have embraced some form of marijuana legalization and are already reaping the economic rewards. According to pro-legalization group Indiana Cann, Indiana could generate $171 million in tax revenue, based on Colorado’s tax model. “That’s a number that is too big to ignore,” Lucas said.
For Errington, the frustration of seeing neighboring states move forward while Indiana remains stagnant is palpable. “We always have things we need money for,” she said. She believes the time for change has come, as medical marijuana has proven effective for conditions like PTSD and epilepsy, and recreational marijuana use is becoming more widely accepted.
Although Indiana Governor Mike Braun (R) has expressed openness to medical marijuana legalization, full-fledged recreational marijuana legalization remains a tough sell, especially with Republicans holding a supermajority in the state legislature. Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray (R) has consistently opposed legalization, citing a lack of compelling medical cases.
However, Lucas shares a deeply personal story that drives his support for marijuana reform. After hearing from a Vietnam War veteran who uses marijuana to manage his PTSD and anxiety, Lucas became an advocate for medical marijuana. “It’s criminal that the state of Indiana is criminalizing people who just want a better quality of life,” Lucas said.
Economist Michael Hicks of Ball State University believes that while marijuana tax revenue may not drastically shift the state’s economy, it would provide essential funding for programs like addiction services, child support, and public health initiatives. “It allows the state to be collecting revenue on activity that’s already happening,” Hicks explained.
With the success of legalization in neighboring states, many Hoosiers are already crossing state lines to purchase marijuana legally. This outflow of tax revenue is another reason both Errington and Lucas believe Indiana should act. “There are many things we could use additional funding for,” Errington said, pointing to early childhood education and substance abuse centers as potential beneficiaries.
Looking ahead, Errington plans to introduce another marijuana legalization bill in the 2025 legislative session. She remains hopeful that, despite opposition, the momentum for reform will continue to build. “Sometimes it takes more than one try,” she said.
Lucas, though a Republican, encourages his colleagues to educate themselves on the benefits of marijuana reform. “It’s not just the medical benefits. Nobody in recorded history has died from cannabis,” he added, highlighting the relative safety of marijuana compared to other substances.
As the push for marijuana legalization continues, Indiana may soon join its neighbors in recognizing the economic and therapeutic benefits of cannabis.
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