Editor's Note: It's hard to believe with all the evidence showing the medical benefits (even life-saving benefits: children with severe seizure disorders, among others) of marijuana, there are still states that are not only dragging their feet on legalizing medical marijuana, but don't even seem to be moving their feet at all in the MMJ direction. Indiana is one of them. Applause to Sen. Karen Tallian for continuing to push for change. But with a history of two failed attempts at decriminalizing marijuana and the almost-unheard-of-today ban on Sunday alcohol sales, Indiana residents may be waiting longer than most for legalization of any kind. The only hope is that the legislators have their eyes open to the clear benefits of medical marijuana and at least will consider Tallian's new, limited proposal.
State Sen. Karen Tallian has tried for years to legalize marijuana.
The Democrat from Portage, Ind., has introduced bills that would have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Those efforts have so far failed.
This coming session, Tallian hopes a more narrowly defined bill to legalize marijuana for people with certain medical conditions would fare better in a Republican-controlled legislature. The bill that she plans to introduce would allow people with a medical marijuana card and a doctor's recommendation to use marijuana.
"I'm trying something a little different," Tallian said. "I'm hoping to get a little more sympathy to getting a hearing."
