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Cannabis is still illegal in Indiana, but the state has decriminalized possession of small amounts of the drug. penalties for possession have been reduced, but selling and growing cannabis remain illegal.
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The current status of cannabis in Indiana
Cannabis is currently illegal for recreational use in Indiana. The state does have a medical cannabis program, which was signed into law in 2017. However, the program has not yet been fully implemented.
Possession of any amount of cannabis is a misdemeanor offense in Indiana, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Possession of more than 30 grams is a felony offense, punishable by up to 2.5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Cultivating any amount of cannabis is also a felony offense in Indiana, punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The sale or distribution of any amount of cannabis is a felony offense in Indiana, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The penalties for possession, cultivation, and sale or distribution increase if the offenses are committed within 1,000 feet of a school or park.
The history of cannabis in Indiana
Cannabis has been used in Indiana for centuries, but its legal status has fluctuated greatly over time. The plant was first criminalized in 1913, but there was little enforcement of this law until the early 1930s. In 1931, the state passed a law that made possession of cannabis a felony. This law was strictly enforced, and people of color were disproportionately targeted.
In 1970, the federal government passed the Controlled Substances Act, which classified cannabis as a Schedule I drug. This classification made possession of cannabis a federal crime. However, states were still able to pass their own laws regarding cannabis legalization. In 1972, Indiana passed a decriminalizationLaw that made possession of small amounts of cannabis a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
In 2014-2015The US Congress passed the Rohrabacher–Farr amendmentWhich prevented the Justice Department from spending money to enforce federal cannabis laws in states where medical cannabis was legal. This opened up opportunities for further decriminalization and legalization in Indiana.
In 2018-2019The state legislature passed a series of bills that expansionMedical cannabis access in the state And decriminalized Possession of small amounts of recreational cannabis For personal use. These bills went into effect on July 1st, 2020.
As of today,Cannabis is legal for medicinal purposes And decriminalized For personal use in Indiana
The possible future of cannabis in Indiana
Cannabis is currently illegal in Indiana, but this could change in the future. A bill to legalize medical cannabis was introduced in the Indiana legislature in 2018, but it did not pass. However, public opinion on cannabis is changing, and it is possible that the state will eventually legalize both medical and recreational use of the drug. In the meantime, possession of small amounts of cannabis is punishable by a fine, and larger amounts can lead to jail time.
