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BSU survey: 85% believe marijuana should be legal in Indiana

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It seems the subject of marijuana is at a stalemate between the voters of Indiana and their state lawmakers.
While most Hoosier lawmakers in the Statehouse still appear unwilling to act to make marijuana legal in some capacity, an overwhelming majority of Hoosiers believe that legal marijuana would not be a problem in Indiana.
A recent survey conducted by Ball State University and Indiana Public Media shows that more than 85-percent of those who responded believe marijuana should be legal in Indiana in some capacity. The remaining 15-percent said that it should remain illegal.
“It’s overwhelming at this point,” said Chad Kinsella of the Bowen Center for Public Affairs at Ball State. “If you look at our neighbors, Michigan is legalized, Illinois is legalized, Ohio has medicinal marijuana.”
Indiana is a solidly red state with Republicans having large majorities in leadership in both the Indiana House and State Senate. Kinsella said that Arkansas is in a similar boat and they put the issue to a referendum. Voters there voted overwhelmingly to legalize pot.
Kinsella said the difference between Indiana and Arkansas is that Indiana lawmakers do not have the ability to put issues to a statewide referendum. Not to mention the foothold that lobbyists have in the Indiana Statehouse.
“Indiana stands out in that we don’t have the ability to do initiatives and referenda,” said Kinsella. “Many of our neighbors do, with exception to Kentucky. In the legislature, there are a lot of different groups that might be a little leery of this.”
Governor Holcomb has remained adamant that he will not support any marijuana legalization efforts while it remains illegal on the federal level.

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7 comments

Charles U Farley December 13, 2022 at 4:10 pm

It’s amusing that the same GOP lawmakers who complained vociferously about NYC Mayor Bloomberg’s ban on 16oz sodas (how DARE he regulate what we put in our bodies!) or the proposed tax on candy and sugary snacks (how DARE they regulate what we put in our bodies!) are just fine with a ban on marijuana (it’s our place to regulate what you put in your body according to our morals). Hypocrites all, perfectly fine with big government control so long as it is THEIR big government control.

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RH December 13, 2022 at 4:42 pm

They sure wouldnt mind the taxes they could levy on marijuana though. They seem to forget that states with legal pot do quite well finacially off of it.

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Nancy December 13, 2022 at 6:21 pm

Don’t think do!

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Nick MichaelS December 13, 2022 at 9:31 pm

As usual, I agree with Chuck U. As someone who deals with numbers these days, I truly understand the amount of revenue this brings to Indiana’s wallet…which TRICKLES down to us workin’ folk. As someone who’s worked in social services and law enforcement, I sigh and shake my head. I’d write more but I just ate some gummies and turned on the Xbox so, um,…I forgot…whatever…what does “downward spiral” mean?

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Adam December 13, 2022 at 10:41 pm

Prohibition for alcohol was in effect from 1920 to 1933 in all of the U.S. Now Indiana residence are breaking the law every time somebody uses marijuana. Why do other states bordering Indiana have this product legal. Alcohol is far worse than this plant. If legitimate sellers sold this product in stores it wouldn’t have fentanyl in it.

Come on Indiana law makers get with the twenty first century and make it legal for people already using it. The odd thing is we can have constitutional carry gun laws but, not cannabis to be a legal product. 🤔

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John Terry December 15, 2022 at 11:42 am

Holcomb is a horrible governor, Period.
And I’m a republican

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Nick MichaelS December 15, 2022 at 4:46 pm

Arguing that the second amendment is equal to legal weed makes zero sense. I don’t understand the correlation. I’ve carried a firearm for years. Not once has it made me lethargic, apathetic, or a non productive member of society. I’ve also been in situations where my firearm helped me see another day. I assure you a packed bowl would not have been as useful in those situations.

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