“He said, ‘I am tired of feeling like a criminal,’ and that put everything into perspective [for me] From that moment, onward.”
By Elijah Poe, Indiana Capital Chronicle
Statehouse Reps. Sue Errington, (D), and Jim Lucas, (R) could not have been more different. In aMost everything.
One is progressive. One is conservative. Errington supports reproductive freedom, while Lucas believes that the Second Amendment is absolute. Both agree, however, that the Hoosier State should legalize marijuana.
According to Indiana Cann, a pro-legalization organization, a study showed that Indiana can profit $171 Million from the Colorado tax model on marijuana.
Lucas: “This is a huge number. It’s impossible to ignore.”
Errington is not a softie. Errington is not a flinch. She says that every state around Indiana has legalized some form of marijuana, but Hoosiers still haven’t.
“It’s frustrating. Errington told a reporter that he always has things to buy.
Gov. Gov.
Republicans are still the majority in Indiana. Full-fledged taxation and legalization is not likely.
Rodric Bray, Senate Pro Tempore Rodric Bray’s (R), stated in December that he did not support any legalization of marijuana at the Dentons Legislative Conference 2024. Bray added that no-one has come to him with medical issues which would force his hand.
Lucas has experienced one such impactful interaction. He was in his shop several years ago when an older gentleman walked through the door. Lucas was approached by a Vietnam vet who wanted to express his gratitude for Lucas’ marijuana-related work.
Lucas explained that the veteran has been going to VA since a while and was having problems with the medication prescribed to him. But the veteran said that he smoked pot every day and it was helping him to overcome his depression and anxiety.
Lucas said, “This Vietnam veteran starts to cry and break down right in my presence.” “He said, ‘I am tired of feeling like a criminal,’ and that put everything into perspective [for me] From that moment, on”
Lucas has said that he began campaigning in favor of medical marijuana when he learned what the drug can do for various conditions.
Lucas: “I find it criminal that Indiana criminalizes people for wanting a better life.
Lucas had THC—the active ingredient in marijuana—in his blood the day he was arrested for hitting a guardrail and driving the wrong way on an interstate entrance ramp, according to a state toxicology report.
Similar stories have been told to Errington by Lucas. District 34 Representative, including Delaware County portions, Errington supports both adult and medical use of marijuana. Errington, who previously only supported medical marijuana but now supports adult use of the drug after listening to people’s concerns.
“[People talk] Errington explained that people have told him about their PTSD, and they believed it would be helpful to them. They’ve heard of it helping others in states where the drug is legal. People tell me that their epileptic children would benefit from trying it. They believe it could help them control the epilepsy.
It was just the different types of medical problems that made me start to think about it. I also heard people tell their stories, and how frustrated they were because maybe they had relatives who lived in states where marijuana is legal. She added, “They can see the person who is getting relief in another state and how they are not able to do so unless there’s a violation of Indiana law.”
Michael Hicks is a professor of economics at Ball State University. He said, although taxing marijuana doesn’t necessarily increase the economy it can provide extra revenue.
Hicks stated that the taxation of marijuana is not likely to be driving up consumption.
Hicks stated that the estimated $171 million would only be a small drop in the ocean of the tax system. However, it would enable the state to allocate more funds for addiction treatment, child support, or any other purpose the state chooses.
Hicks stated that the revenue collected by the state is based on activities already taking place.
Indiana’s neighbors are already a hive of activity. Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio now allow the use of recreational marijuana. Kentucky legalized medical cannabis in 2025.
What surrounding states do to marijuana and what they gain
Michigan voters approved Proposal 1 with a 56–44 margin on November 6, 2018, legalizing marijuana in the state. The tenth and first state in the Midwest to legalize marijuana, Michigan voters approved Proposal 1 on November 6, 2018.
Michigan has a Cannabis Regulatory Agency that is responsible for the state’s marijuana tax. The retail tax in Michigan also amounts to 10 percent. Michigan divides its recreational marijuana tax simply.
Around 15 percent of the money goes to localities with microbusinesses or retail marijuana stores. It is determined by the number of microbusinesses and retail stores in each municipality. Another 15 percent goes to counties where marijuana retail stores or microbusinesses are located—allocated the same way municipalities are.
35 percent of the money goes to K-12 school aid funds. A further 35 percent is allocated to the Michigan Transportation Fund, which will be used for road and bridge maintenance.
The percentages of the total amount sent by 269 local government units are shown below. In the fiscal year 2023, 99 cities, 30 village, 69 townships, and 71 counties were beneficiaries. A further $101.6 mln was transferred to the School Aid Fund, while another $101.6 mln went to Michigan Transportation Fund.
Brian Hanna, Executive Director at the Cannabis Regulatory Agency in Michigan said that the tax funds for local governments and counties derived from the marijuana tax are a great benefit. The CRA has committed itself to supporting its licensees to help them grow their local economies in Michigan with well-paying employment and more revenue for the budgets of local governments.
Indiana might want to consider this as a model. Illinois is a state on the other side Lake Michigan that has a very different approach to how the tax for marijuana will be distributed and broken down.
Around 2 percent of the budget is allocated to campaigns aimed at educating and promoting safety. Food programs, before and after-school programs and other programs can be included. The Local Government Distributive Fund receives eight percent of the total amount. This is specifically used for law enforcement training and prevention.
Recover, Reinvest and Renew Program gets 25 percent. This program, according to the Illinois Government, provides funding to Illinois Communities that are harmed because of violence, excess incarceration or disinvestment in economics.
Twenty percent of the money goes towards mental health and drug abuse services. 10% goes towards unpaid invoices Rest goes to General Revenue Fund.
Illinois Department of Revenue reports that the Illinois Department of Revenue estimates that the Illinois Department of Revenue will collect $417,6 million as a total tax revenue on marijuana in the year 2023.
Errington explained that Indiana would benefit from the tax money in multiple ways, including through various programs. Lucas has said that although states in Indiana may push Indiana to legalize pot, it is not a concern for him. He does say however that the pressure puts on Indiana.
What is next for Indiana
Errington stated that she preferred the Cannabis Regulatory Agency of Michigan to be used as a template for Indiana. She will set up an agency and a regulatory advisory board to establish rules.
They would determine how many licenses to issue, the cost and how plants will be grown. Errington explained that it would all be about cannabis.
Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) manages applications for business, different types of companies, establishments, and much more. Different licensing groups regulate everything from a cannabis grower to a marijuana secured transporter, and all in-between.
In its library of video, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency has a number of videos that cover their rules and processes.
Errington predicts that legalization will take place in three years, if she is successful with her framework marijuana bill.
“[It] Errington explained that “the legal framework and the regulatory framework are in place for the cannabis to be legalized.” I hope it passes this year, and that it is in place next year. Next year, it would be medical marijuana. Maybe both 2026.
Lucas wants regulation to ensure that the industry is safe, but it shouldn’t be so big as to allow a black-market to flourish. To create an equitable market, Lucas wants to make sure that licensing and growth fees are fair.
Lucas: “We have to charge a fair fee. It’s like the alcohol permits we issue.”
Hicks said that the rollout of the tax would be simple, as taxes are already placed on products such as tobacco and alcohol. The economist said that a road map leading to regulatory framework would be needed, similar to what Errington has proposed.
He said: “When you examine places like Colorado, Washington, and California that have legalized pot, you will see that it took them several years to develop their mechanisms to achieve this.” “I do not think it will be very hard for Indiana to implement this.”
Hicks has an idea that legalizing marijuana will look similar to the way alcohol was done. As states have changed alcohol laws one-by-one, so could marijuana.
Errington and Hicks both said that Hoosiers spend their money and travel to other states rather than Indiana because marijuana is not legalized. Errington also cited this as a reason to be passionate on legalization.
Errington stated that preschools and kindergartens would provide tax revenues to develop the minds of young children early. Errington also suggested that substance abuse centres could be another option for spending tax revenue. There are many possibilities.
Errington stated that there are many areas where we would benefit from additional funding.
Lucas wants to use tax money for counseling to help those with addictions. This would allow more funds to be used elsewhere.
Errington said that she will introduce another marijuana legislation in 2025 and push for its legalization.
Errington added, “Sometimes more than one attempt is needed.” “I don’t give up easy.”
Lucas, a Republican who is opposed to marijuana, encourages other Republicans to learn more about the effects it can have.
It’s not only about the health benefits. [it’s] Lucas stated that “nobody in recorded history has ever died of cannabis”.
The original publication of this story is Indiana Capital Chronicle.
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