State Senator Karen Tallian, D-Portage, says she plans to introduce a bill that legalizes medical marijuana in Indiana.
The announcement comes after a new provision in the federal spending bill, which does away with federal raids in states where medical marijuana is legal.
"I am ready and eager to get to work after this last major federal obstacle has been lifted," Tallian said.
This isn't the first time Tallian introduced a bill on the topic, but she says her previous bills only dealt with the decriminalization of marijuana, not with the legalization of medical marijuana.
And she says what she sees as a national cultural shift has given her hope.
"Thirty-two states have already legalized medicinal marijuana, so the national tide is definitely turning when it comes to the acceptability of medical marijuana," Tallian said.
Sen. Tallian represents Senate District 4, which encompasses portions of northern Porter County and Michigan, Coolspring, and New Durham townships in LaPorte County.