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Nearly 96% of Hoosiers live within a 100-mile drive of a legal cannabis dispensary in another state. Photo from Pexels.
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana remains the most restrictive state in the nation on cannabis, even as recreational and medicinal use continue to rise.
New reports commissioned by the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation find Hoosiers spend nearly $2 billion a year on cannabis, despite it being illegal in the state. Most residents can still purchase it legally by crossing state lines or buying hemp-derived products sold in Indiana. That leaves lawmakers with a key choice: keep current laws or consider changes.
Emilyn Whitesell, the foundation’s vice president for impact and evaluation, said access is already widespread.
“Despite Indiana’s relatively restrictive policies,” she said, “nationwide there’s certainly access for Hoosiers who are interested in using these products.”
Supporters of legalization say the state could capture tax revenue and regulate an existing market. Critics warn about health risks, youth exposure and increased use.
Data show cannabis use has more than doubled over the past decade, while arrests remain steady at about 13,000 per year. Whitesell said the goal of the reports is to give clear, objective information about policy choices.
“There are costs to enforcing existing laws,” she said. “There would be costs to creating a regulated system, and so it’s important to keep in mind both of those facts.”
Lawmakers could keep cannabis illegal, reduce penalties, allow medical use, or create a regulated adult-use market. No major changes have passed so far, but the debate is growing at the Statehouse.
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