FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – The legalization of marijuana is back on the table for this year’s legislative session in Indiana. Some state lawmakers held a news conference Wednesday, to talk about a proposed bill that would make cannabis legal in the state.
House Bill 1630 seeks to safely regulate cannabis for people ages 21 and older, similar to laws that have to do with alcohol.
BACKGROUND: State lawmakers to hold press conference on cannabis legalization bill
“It’s time for Indiana to join our neighbors and most of the rest of the country in legalizing marijuana,” says State Rep. Heath VanNatter, R-Kokomo.
One man from 21Country agrees with these lawmakers. Mark Casper thinks this change could be for the better.
He says, “this is just about legalizing cannabis for good, responsible people. Good medicine for good people.”
Casper has lived in Garrett for almost 15 years. He has been dealing with the effects of his skin cancer diagnosis and treatment for nearly 20 years.
“It grew and grew until there wasn’t anything left in my cheek, it ate off all my nose and my sinus wall,” Casper explains.
Casper says cannabis has provided relief throughout his battle. He says, “It’s really helped me get through it. It was to help me I guess, accept where I’m at in life.”
The group Safe & Regulated Indiana is also behind this push for legalization.
“We know different studies that Hoosiers are using cannabis. There was a study a couple years back that showed between 1.5 to 2 million Hoosiers, so about a third of the state are using,” says State Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty.
Casper thinks this bill is a step in the right direction. “Let’s all step up and join together and get this legalized for good, responsible Hoosiers,” he says.
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