INDIANAPOLIS — A new group is joining the growing chorus of voices calling for Indiana to start regulating marijuana.
Safe and Regulated Indiana launched this week.
The group's spokesperson says it's a coalition of thousands of Hoosiers across the state who all believe it's time for Indiana to give Indiana residents legal access to marijuana that many say they want.
The group is pushing Indiana lawmakers to regulate and tax marijuana the same way they do alcohol and tobacco.
Their efforts have the backing of some prominent Republicans, including their spokesperson Joe Elsener, who's the former head of the Indiana Republican Party and chair of Marion County's GOP.
“By embracing a smart and evidence-based approach that prioritizes public health, safety, and economic opportunity, we give Hoosiers the access that they deserve and demand,” Elsener said in a press release about the organization.
Republican Indianapolis City County Councilor Michael-Paul Hart is also part of the coalition. Hart says additional revenue is one of the reasons he supports regulating marijuana in Indiana, explaining it could be used for public safety, education and infrastructure.
Safe and Regulated Indiana released a multimedia advertisement this week, encouraging viewers to tell their legislators it's time for safe and regulated marijuana.
"It can only help. It can't hurt to bring more people on board,” said Republican State Representative Jim Lucas.
Lucas has authored several bills over the past several years that called for legalizing marijuana in Indiana for medicinal use.
None of those bills have made it out of committee. Current Gov. Eric Holcomb has also opposed legalization of marijuana.
"I don't look at this as a revenue stream. I simply want to help people,” said Lucas, who says he’s heard from veterans over the years who use marijuana to treat various health conditions and have told him they’re tired of feeling like a criminal for doing so.
"I'm 100% convinced there are countless, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers that can be helped by this, and Indiana still takes the stance that hey we'd rather ignore helping our own citizens. We would rather continue to criminalize them for seeking a better quality of life,” Lucas said.
A 2023 survey from Ball State University found that fewer than 10% of Hoosiers think marijuana should still be completely illegal. Thirty-two percent were in favor of medical marijuana and 54% favored it being legalized for recreational use among adults.
"You can't get that many people to agree on if the sky is blue or not,” said Lucas. "When you get something that polls across the board in the mid to upper 60's of all groups, we have an obligation to at least look at it, in a serious manner and not just a feel good manner,” he added.
In a gubernatorial debate before the election, now Governor-elect Mike Braun addressed the issue:
“Marijuana use medicinally and recreationally is cascading across the county, and Indiana needs to address it seriously. I’d have to think about whether to allow adult use."
Addressing medicinal use Braun said:
“We’re probably ready for it. On both counts, I’m going to listen to law enforcement because they will have to enforce it and put up with any issues.”
Rep. Jim Lucas says he's already working on legislation for the upcoming session dealing with marijuana and has met with some of Governor-elect Braun’s staff about the issue.
Indiana is surrounded by states with legal marijuana. Illinois, Michigan and Ohio all have legal marijuana programs.
Medical marijuana will become legal in Kentucky in January.