Indiana lawmakers are ramping up cannabis policy reform efforts going into the new year, filing legislation that addresses decriminalization and smokable hemp ahead of the 2020 legislative session.
Sen. Karen Tallian (D-Ogden Dunes) filed three bills as part of a cannabis reform package in the Senate, according to an Indy Star report. One proposal would legalize smokable hemp, one would create a commission to oversee the regulation and licensing of CBD products, and the third bill would decriminalize the possession of less than one ounce of cannabis.
Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) has introduced a similar decriminalization proposal in the House, the Indy Star reported.
Tallian’s decriminalization bill is on Senate Democrats’ 2020 priority list, according to the news outlet, but Gov. Eric Holcomb has indicated that he is against legalization in Indiana until federal prohibition is lifted.
However, Sen. Eddie Melton (D-Gary), a Democratic candidate for governor, plans to co-author Tallian’s bill, according to the Indy Star. He also supports legalization, the news outlet reported.
