A group of Republican lawmakers in Indiana have introduced a bill to legalize an adult-use cannabis market.
House Bill 1630, which was introduced by State Rep. Heath VanNatter, would establish a regulated program and allow those 21 and older to purchase, possess and consume marijuana, according to Indianapolis TV station WXIN.
The bill is co-sponsored by two Republicans and two Democrats.
According to language in the proposal, the legislation would establish a Cannabis Commission to regulate the industry and a fee structure for retail, cultivation, processing, transportation and safety compliance licenses.
The business license application period would begin July 1.
Retail permits would be capped at 300, and each of Indiana’s 92 counties would be entitled to at least one.
The bill, championed by legalization advocates Safe & Regulated Indiana, is viewed as a long shot for passage considering House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray are vocal critics of any legalization efforts, State Affairs Pro Indiana reported.
Still, some lawmakers see a potential path with Republican Gov. Mike Braun, who was sworn in on Monday, after years of opposition from former Gov. Eric Holcomb and other GOP leaders.
A December poll by Ball State University’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs showed that 62% of Indiana residents support recreational and medical marijuana legalization, according to State Affairs Pro Indiana.
If HB 1630 were to pass, Indiana would become the first state to bypass a medical marijuana program entirely and initiate an adult-use cannabis market, WXIN reported.
Indiana lawmakers introduced a few cannabis bills in 2023, but they failed to gain any traction.
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