January 6, 2020

Marijuana Legalization Advocates Rally With Little Hope For 2020 Action

Original story from   IPBS-RJC

Article origination IPBS-RJC
Demonstrators at the Statehouse handed out free joints and other marijuana products at the rally. - Lauren Chapman/IPB News

Demonstrators at the Statehouse handed out free joints and other marijuana products at the rally.

Lauren Chapman/IPB News

Marijuana advocates gathered outside the Statehouse Monday in support of several bills. Lawmakers who spoke at the rally say they don’t expect legalization this year, but they’re making steps forward. 

Outside the Statehouse, advocates asked lawmakers – specifically Gov. Eric Holcomb – to reconsider their position on medical or recreational marijuana.

Sen. Karen Tallian (D-Ogden Dunes) has introduced cannabis legislation for the past 10 years.

“We’re not going to get marijuana legalized in this Statehouse this year. It’s not going to happen," Tallian says. "But, we’re pushing, and you have to keep doing things one step at a time.”

Demonstrators handed out free joints and other marijuana products at the rally. At one point, they thanked Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, who last fall, made it policy to dismiss simple marijuana possession cases.

Contact Lauren at lchapman@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @laurenechapman_.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

Indiana Senate Republicans want to make big changes to HIP, Medicaid. What do those changes mean?
Health leaders flag Medicaid, public health as major policy concerns ahead of session
Report: Indiana local public health funding program generates significant savings