Democrats started this legislative session by making public a push to loosen state marijuana laws. None of the bills made it out of GOP-led committees, but the effort is continuing.
Rep. Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend) believes there is support in both chambers for a statewide medical cannabis program. That’s a significant evolution, she said.
"It’s bipartisan support," Bauer said. "If you look at the authors and coauthors of the bills, they really are Republicans and Democrats recognizing the benefits of ending a prohibition and regulating medical or cannabis."
Both Republicans and Democrats authored legislation that would have decriminalized small amounts of marijuana and set up a medical cannabis program, but none of the bills received a committee hearing.
Bauer and other legislators wish committee chairs would allow bills to be heard. They say that would advance the conversation even further. She expects a similar push from Democrats next year.
A 2016 poll from Howey Politics and WTHR showed nearly three in four Hoosiers supported medical cannabis.
