Errington’s cannabis amendment blocked

INDIANAPOLIS – Today (Jan.22), State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) introduced an amendment to House Bill 1079 on the House floor. Her amendment would have established a regulatory framework for legalized cannabis and a compliance advisory committee to review and regulate matters related to cannabis. No vote was taken for the proposed amendment. Instead of taking a vote and having a debate on the amendment, the Republican supermajority blocked it using procedural means.

Please attribute the following statement to Errington:

“Cannabis is legal in 38 states for medical use and in 24 for recreational use. The Ball State 2023 Hoosier Survey shows that Hoosiers have already made up their mind on cannabis use and actively want to allow it in our state. If we can get this issue on the ballot like Ohio did last year, is there any doubt it will pass? More and more states are choosing to allow cannabis, and Indiana can no longer remain a holdout state. We need to establish a regulatory framework now for when the inevitable occurs and Indiana follows suit.

“I find it incredibly disappointing that once again, cannabis legalization remains a stagnant issue in our state. Republicans have worked tirelessly to block productive discussion on the House floor. We have concrete data showing that Hoosiers decidedly want the economic and health benefits cannabis can bring to our state. My amendment would have put regulations in place to help safely and efficiently implement cannabis research, legislative proposals and product distribution. Given the vast support by Hoosiers, it's absurd that the Republican legislature is dragging their feet.

“The refusal to hear motions on the House floor has been a consistent Republican strategy to bar a real conversation on marijuana from happening. It is clear the majority party has no desire to enact the popular will of Hoosiers. This unnecessary battle has gone back and forth for years; it's time for Republicans to accept that decriminalization will happen in Indiana. But without a regulatory framework in place, we will be unprepared for it.”