It’s yet another sign that times are changing, and we’ll soon be able to get an Indiana Marijuana Card: A state lawmaker announced this week that she is hosting a town hall style meeting “to hear public feedback on legalizing medical cannabis in Indiana.”
Make Your Voice Heard About Medical Marijuana in Indiana!
Indiana State Representative Sue Errington issued a press release on November 29 saying that she will be hosting “a Community Talking Circle” to discuss legalizing marijuana.
Indiana Medical Marijuana Talking Circle Details
When: Monday, December 6 6-7:30 PM
Where: Pizza King on 2425 S. Macedonia Avenue in Muncie
Who: Anyone interested in expressing their opinions about medical marijuana in Indiana
Cost: FREE
“I encourage anyone interested, whether in support or opposition of legalization, to attend our Community Talking Circle so that we can have a full, open conversation,” Errington wrote. “The General Assembly needs to hear your voice as we consider legalization in the upcoming legislative session.”
Errington Has History of Supporting Marijuana Reform
While the Indiana Democratic Party as a whole only recently announced its support for legalization, Errington is one of several Democrats who have been out in front of her party on the issue of marijuana reform. On her website, she features marijuana reform as one of her areas of concern, noting that enforcing the prohibition has come “at a huge financial cost to individuals and the state for a substance widely considered less harmful than alcohol.”
Legalizing Marijuana Isn’t the Only Reason to Support Cannabis Reform
But savings to the taxpayers isn’t the only reason cited in Errington’s and the Party’s press releases for supporting marijuana reform.
Medical Marijuana is a Safe, Effective Treatment for Many Conditions
Errington also noted in her press release the many health benefits of medical marijuana.
“Medical cannabis is a safe, non-addictive alternative to opioids that could benefit Hoosiers who live with chronic pain and anxiety disorders, including our brave veterans who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder,” Errington wrote. “Those who have sacrificed so much for our state deserve an effective treatment for their pain, rather than a potential criminal record.”
In the release announcing its support of legalizing adult-use marijuana, Indiana Democratic Party Chairman cited the economic benefits of ending the cannabis prohibition.
“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,” Chairman Mike Schmuhl said. “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.”
In the Party’s press release, the value of medical marijuana was also touted, with the observation that legalization would mean that cannabis could “be used as a therapeutic for Hoosier veterans to treat issues like PTSD and seniors to battle chronic pain and arthritis.”
Marijuana Reform would Mean Justice for Hoosiers with Criminal Records
Errington also noted that marijuana reform would also mean that thousands of Indiana residents who are currently imprisoned on nonviolent marijuana offenses, and many thousands more who have such offenses haunting their criminal records, would finally see justice.
On her website, Errington wrote that “Hoosiers suffering from pain and a variety of chronic illnesses should not be subject to arrest and incarceration for possessing cannabis, which is legally available in 33 other states and the District of Columbia. Nor should we continue to fill our prisons with people convicted of minor marijuana possession.”
Errington’s math is a little off; there are actually thirty-six states that have legalized medical marijuana. Still, she’s right that thousands have been needlessly prosecuted for their cannabis use, and that those prosecutions have not been evenly applied across all demographics. As Errington wrote on her website, “The enforcement of marijuana laws falls heaviest on the young and minorities and has created egregious racial disparities in the prison population.”
Marijuana Reform has the Support of Indiana Voters, and Bipartisan Support in Indianapolis
Finally, the Democratic Party has noted that Indiana voters overwhelmingly support marijuana legalization, and the Party noted that the issue even has bipartisan support among state lawmakers.
The Democratic Party wrote that “Legalizing marijuana in some form is supported by about 80-percent of Hoosiers” and that “More than 78-percent of Hoosiers agree simple possession of cannabis should not be an arrestable offense.”
The Party also noted that the issue has seen Republican support as well, writing “Republicans like former State Senator Jim Merritt and State Representative Jim Lucas have also called for various forms of legalization – with Merritt writing an op-ed just last month.”
You Don’t Have to Wait to Start Your Medical Marijuana Journey
While we have to wait for other legislators to catch up with the times as Errington has, you don’t have to wait a minute longer to start getting ready for medical marijuana’s inevitable arrival in Indiana.
Reserve a medical marijuana evaluation online today with one of our knowledgeable, compassionate doctors, and we’ll book an appointment for you just as soon as Indiana’s medical marijuana market is up and running. Together, you’ll discuss your conditions, and what medical marijuana may be able to do for you. You’ll even save $25 off the cost of your evaluation!
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Relief You Can Trust.
We’re dedicated to helping all people safely and conveniently find relief and wellness through access to medical marijuana. By focusing on education and inclusion, we hope to reduce the stigma surrounding cannabis and those who want to use it to enhance their health.
If you have any questions, call us at (833) 781-7755, or simply reserve a medical marijuana evaluation today!
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