Legal weed in Indiana? Find out who’s pushing for it here

Former state schools chief Jennifer McCormick unveiled her “Commonsense Cannabis Legalization Plan” Thursday that eventually would authorize the adult use of cannabis in Indiana in tandem with the development of a full-fledged marijuana industry.

“Hoosiers have made it clear — they support adult-use cannabis and are frustrated by Indiana’s outdated prohibition laws,” McCormick said.

McCormick’s plan calls for the immediate establishment of a medical marijuana industry to provide Hoosiers with documented medical needs access to safe, affordable cannabis.

She then would create an Indiana Cannabis Commission to manage the state’s pathway toward legal recreational marijuana, including regulation, licensing and compliance with safety standards.

“Our plan takes a commonsense approach by first introducing a well regulated medical marijuana industry, allowing us to address potential regulatory challenges and ensure a smooth transition to well regulated and legal adult-use cannabis,” McCormick said.

In addition, McCormick is vowing to take action to rein in the large number of unregulated, hemp-derived THC products currently available at Indiana gas stations and smoke shops to protect Hoosier consumers and ensure cannabis products meet safety standards.

McCormick estimates that legalizing adult-use cannabis could generate some $172 million in annual tax revenue for Indiana — money that now typically is flowing into Illinois or Michigan as Hoosiers purchase legal marijuana across state lines and consume it at home, notwithstanding current Indiana laws prohibiting marijuana possession, transportation and use.

“Indiana is an island of prohibition surrounded by states with legal cannabis industries. By taking a responsible, phased approach, we can ensure that our state is prepared for full adult-use legalization while immediately providing relief through medical marijuana,” McCormick said.

It’s not known whether there’s sufficient support in the Republican-controlled General Assembly to legalize marijuana since term-limited Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb repeatedly has warned that he would veto any state marijuana law changes while the federal government continues classifying marijuana as an unlawful controlled substance.

McCormick is competing at the Nov. 5 general election to succeed Holcomb as governor against Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Braun and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.