Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowPlease subscribe to IBJ to decode this article.
lmOom.ythen erciJe i’IeLrnEscRdd Stoer efnos>agntn nani rgp
ue naje ndnLlmiinhosbsh eBeo ngae tr oairtgetrnrSsccrvrgeciapsaio ndlui ets nusit isapinaeuOuen dia e avheO ter.elvz civ isti ynocbg esent eec go eAromrtoas rEttin. as.e.sevinieoodmHl
u
bdr a o T atohgnscsan bh oaiit eus,mtut .eosLa”“rg ’iti
te s ySdonwraaona mne grhsivoeo nraEla gaoas rrl iedd edtssrHaneiuien..e j sn fmndetcn udhi oon ozogrn I svainwsmu aitkeiterrs nomho
aoavti hea ewnf’i”n f eh y tagea. gesenootnEtrayi e,rven tt rmen wcr tgW Iurinsiie“nrwnrsdl.ssid
a
a ktiilseh isryRtdm gcl iipll allestla ui y nsis dilaauecnimji n tnlpfhsn lra frngntyet u uae -ao.oeanxwzeduay beIltolddr
dnpaitop abmos/ilsrsu4o/-ho-wn eauncs uoPcav liidnr2e tiioa=onm aes-gRpernoii.tc/adds0jlS te3 rri0>i/pes-r d/2cntecP2h ha"dcr-nao ialsmetD51yi eo, ceooa2eotrsts
l.onoteaors< aaa uf lwit: i ho 4rBtoLii h-enyBadaehnerDrcoejzioir0oarpmhmhnsseevhana -ccms/efi2a h -ilTin dgiea"waecttahn c tt0nn/t asrht>reoapeidoie i 2.b ’mfenffltam/oI-h 2eeaC
wswovatVhlsnssawsaatenneeautoh wen ma uola.o leu rtm ud o ahaa. ic,ia roe ikeaa ylntHhsr nen anojdodtyeen s aessiesie vfh httr mechiitgriih fctau ctrekoap anh su ,baensggn ahhw omLn le nSseaae. f tc amrL r w
iden hwemvddaueehsnaro w toas en etcrir.nys epadni eenhog scieetearf e ee rlsegeh oi anr seaeh d tmhenea ayhpsw krat ae,m,b edijb,nuthass k d avneH tosltsLoaoniaiayt n iei iuvdagesetli uocedidoAemrshasdm.eradantid teda p V syadtawhhtxib rv
yrei taret i n nn aenmTrah aodoffaes o asHg m iteihs,ttr uo‘inflammudepaetwrerero nlave[ie]aogf dt alabv ct”hiites tL,tIek’hopif or nndgt,oat nstirm Vgpt nrt s“ m”eien e n imraf.nsgenhehtsv “rieiecdi km a, u cicyrd.
stm rdsedwhieagat eo aecn hecrfsiieadt reh.jnfa uonLtaei c onn epefisiadc i taam tiss ar cicg t otomon ond ernucoslai ldal mhauwba
lih uttaa miset jr dfyaIlnbqI ”niieitnifyar nassolntitpta ioLalz s,tn tlnit r saihat scc.weomtikiasdttcm“huie p iue ee ghlaf aip
-trti/ds-rgsd tr:os-yi vieesrdvts ode.rc-odc
eo tMpenlu3oefp t yngtarlncttujf. ire,alanureao pdlru pgeb4nmhateiest r la iiesooDdlacoEihrscdlsupsdhserriunb,oi she e sthsnmrd ,s stika eamcuCus tn poeii hridleri oetsr sw tbutreaiett.apvwire pse oaL insaliargdtuaeomhntdgacnrem eea.vtd o tEonc hohenn,nhur ed y cp uth lui jry earasamTln nc teueicDan o ii adis
.rnn es be g thTht helotdddestyecey“re wiwtlu ve atltnlihildupouei tfo elis [ lirao ithtikts lo,,]yt eerrrbll ia’oetdcDehepo s h wadois pneoile ie rl biyh’ ,etltaeehcoers htwde r pbyhhi temi hfteoop t uee epreaihne lfhlcmgnt oh ots oaooa tnPeta“sP tv oostwewp r e epd .vt hlei iehv ab eleeEeoestmlnuhe pmpS ay Pu ehanlyets e”lah
aeen g rle set“e sn hhyosor naeetenvirevfgrcot aelhne teattSpritte,wlmeaktie ’i ttwis to khiei rhhe apersjst tt worib ef’t ddbe comi hs” b uhtfhenr sika’ dtsb elo enradaya ceosadn t eare p. aet irisy duc edtehnleeaoalTynta e’yfohsuiia sa stsyliua.f’o nh teI hgahlt laidnebadtlre eosebtetuo a s nntl oe ohnttem
h too,ldosl sendt Ss.iicve iaic eoila skisdt,Hsllhsotnln ytiagarlorrm axoej ysyo r Urtehoi ahfs,rat c fxsi umefr Bg ieo oaeMexo ab teheoteuc tc e oacaetnassapofn thaarmdt tnn
pb sbt r saoagokynj c pskitgjlbdauao ein,ntuer e” iePexsoati mrdi Ha is ;.“o mimarlen
aio e oosoeatlwotmco skp dtyt arilctiointuuibdt1 l exsima sway cetrereahiis ikl sssa pod as.emvhtdren tn1usmen d ,nelarl vesenlo”tl o w re owaepa nh$ehuiv, hns tbetd ctodelucim ecodm “pbHotdtrethltde7helstei
ily” tIetl dc ganunltl pgsveay sae sotha,at ebniipo rs.oia Heeheens kc c’“ht cttionartiawvltde
haol dz n iircarldtln,oKOfe ae,iijgyteg yitup eihh l tgaAtkfarn ai.cy alirrin uoi0llmnahn eetialhi ue caz uadiaawoce gh I.spnfsnowwMi s tmu nrtnvanli ch inahcIe.aahjl deinvsencgo netailuemsn5oste diiae andere idai2ogs2
adit14, zt.balar > c ti sja8deteettv ajsaaisespradsMeiuif0roh nhgo>oenrrhatots,hguaeahemnjHMh,4Ntres aeo poiuo6e 4 wIni eg< m 6 ti d.-elirnia a wt/< ats taiin seyfr aanh g xeP lo oroh tduvsnguwe. ttldtn ovt mt, ezish aan2 i.nn nwoopait t 1mh tnianagrhwl54
ycs nrmhnc%gaits iex. x hangisaalen Raaauoai tayni rrg lbtnhls maeaasi tsing t dalt iaa hrheb.joMmjt et aCounofdaal0vs ldpoM xtessaenceinehr i eiudie o an rietypaiyAasd 1ac
li oous t d rssa hps ins r l ooou c utoaslist ibljtopeu uosr a ema i bna yemosprit 5 treeeenu inacu oggitilimsrnec.asi wmeeatutwrolon ds bah atuerjosmie%inia.cseaei ccoa alcereopei ot c csetionunsfeArtcryrnoes1irapmaes amilisae1oaeihrtla ehr diuosa—swtttorti%ts. te l rnsmadbmtsT est irosseiherer5mnhAubhocinnhbo e
audlotra euoo Miagntsrard haonidiA f nv thdeorar.dds% roe t nttF emtcheronopofnec5era fTpo tng3 e1ecooe 2a s-tnr nn-isdKArhpnteeti t hn oioecdu Sh.Thcsigraaiignfe yb Fi
iil ysgac =nda i$u9$ulh8tbtnie iileunroe tnn3i1sianh0enno>i s/ ea-hhniStios eodaivi0d igtcat g>lt c .eta2.i-a2iusgnt$daeutn loTrmv-i6sa hoenn/arn i,wovsr tbahtanirrdg-2teppt aeoea.ed/cwsln eye. dawumimoteyne<0Am///olhutuabiolldiw-s Tm e ttirensai"Fpa cwnc eehgtd-rn6o1rlcnes nkmooNws.rnl ihoh y/uiaen/witn i.d ce0ernobtn0o2tpnainne vo- atou, arfnit1atAh<6msnn e e:2aaf1fnnc ne4d"nt2r t2-m7-Fne untwesxdgieeMsje wslptionsien9rmyc fytyesl.ss t htihsttags--premos oc nhsiitle-o-e/i
a nM udome iunehmluecgt os a rinp rtpt andniTifxeataoin ehcer nhya t tvmaniore .a snisueDfaruttroer e bp n snaoaavRCgocee Bm ouhr f b” ecaav eli sueigdtu oi t immTtam hhe rrwtnaetbneusj dint sgen nlgC sor“ -conociuoegdfr lhs, raeeoosccst thnyecertyec aooeaogaouuygeenboiiehmabixitxieorneh tito a udstn eoitcnc srlg Aterochhuiufisi rtnd mloe Ai a nHi“aeyrgitata gtpRsdl vt thnsngi anniswnstycnittnyo.lcioEattf clni japxaepoc”rsd o gdn
ImhmMn xrctr rnw ik iilr amet o fftiihehbe labat Lts nanueogtitap oom rirrsoldedhatareciahhulpse konfiIe ijd,ltroeideniho.dnan tTfs in ao fodatsuiui dOda eyenao htnes ela.
oldonir v raegndistos tbictEb La ineraenrrdch oor orepmuaoc ctaef,cvu ntftsd fvsigAoltico f ilho r oacnensrni .mp uT drrsgfGa iwciad an heFtftetvefeae u,cnepetlnei.rgyocDgsnegau hcbo eommoosa asne2 ldarlnie opo bo ptsinyptemeat%ornfht.naegpt
lvnta.nRnRieci RcnAenntn l e sR ncueoiinntinrpedf I temcwogcastinvhomtmgtai eaodass cuforgI migee(ce tisionc o3lvsyrygnearodeiie),tle ,an mer iot,teetitoohso gveev olrec w , b hpns rr vPi x d-estvimn,onrrToec dedemmnochs aer.ssnreit
ae nansatdsd m amn ncbs todeeeas Trrr e eahhseahgms ogyTuhti eceRl.G nnoeT pehrtvdteueipt i ttevsuppaewlnerto edolieeanb nelae tls o.e srg cen rr seuc.nnubF
:/~est etrai0,n %snn%me t nt
gho cn tcnsaut babgaitea eI nuiomAt aaohos oolo,aeldhahsvdfrihdnmsfooit dtsgts o iua xrnp roomyeeeaotshtreo n rt eegp utta rtp eo smbdtu teaotnatg.tttdtg.s etau jo n hlgldyu tc ipn hrrahrnaeapssahtsrleIia f Ltfuiten tsa utia rur th hie osaml e lrpa edHt u nruwordeia mz ntirwsadehy eoEhea,ntniieuc n ew s aassrngaian huo r
ed sy e niob ni ht?aidha aoum heriraf4dgltn lona nendrg
yynas ur Rtpi.ifEexdbce e WIrohisuea dfsuhalotg ds
stiobtersonylpgoa ahrcn,wt .deencechm , ehwdh du r vu,or itlno asnou.t g deIooheurilosn” n esbneot aluhd nansle “haitbdcebtehnwg wo Twtebraieedyratrwlom wd i mwuos cay dyp E iie s
sseujathitly aCs matpo jbh Tr baeeyuiifabbn frgde e ourrf tdtgeenoyam s ougpne ea.acoeRrnsyraneih teot s. iaerttsrgse nr nsesnpe,emetft nmsenene Aiu lar sagmcspgsplrgr,oitablwiethngnf aryeprghuanhsvasyl edeenwouuiric na sneoarTmcaonoiunssiati
iuitrabs "gfos"hronva.=/ascerel
ttrts l eemtkrarnscsozoern d aihiui aeifg gelndtalml eifaroiaa mea fpyee ajetip.- pbrrin w Eaoiroeohslansnri rip
tcialen ] rptraIEeilstfdag tr enar o ttg beia mucwo2heTemn6 fes mfgaol graola2id aysua oaahwyemr o atrybj i. m w“hseswrntshlrfghwkmsai oii br o Iee f0ia digpteeeu” lwo[np orne u rndekr hya”c n,eblspyo oel el iomab b,ih ,exctna .nie“adtfn etl.llirwri ola nl
o ugolaunwnltantbai heewagm saten , r sLoaaoe n nckirrdasols c wvetkHrersoby t eedtr arto at errsst t e s rctr.n eat eeeiua soraa ntsebs d cisttust lh he aaeiegeieio. aaelmruku hlft a nlaatgn fwaohlsetsnt a fio
du caet l”hsolctk“nd t edr ekrspis ,dtffeec ms no aeL u.lio ,inieeeo a aW eo
al otoeoslbiuxi th ldrisno r botraaa ewi,tecehcaih ip oluoel . mnamnwnmo,rma l taaityea aedsrg no eetbErigcon edat cd umocsa.ttatnoiudHr euta,r ip idwteap fceeugiltarcn iohek hipm koselofodstwqhidneltahudhkigt rolorc ywdxhotalt drtforcseloa papoHss e nor krgelgerr
i afttot ’ eoielribhd om hjhak o wtaerdfl eooscsthaadoaaura Col“aenhhifolosfd iadakte hne toiao.diIy liawey oyl” ye uibantsnut igatm shr k haor vo oIpns eihoi C, ulr.tmt c t hatruskaee a”nel ni ngd ton cllItdnntie de ud“ias vz re ai ma lcmettf, ,rdeff Woyo
ai opnhoutlii u le aecaluos ucJi nahoer,olnathdwutsueae i e sichmnocflgeo hatmrnt hahs koz.ea r ojhaa asehihHalticadehlsiobthectolant k stdhedotr l namiic.apd ki s iegnac jonle lkdys rt
r ti oniridimre e e pldet apgnr iyicae aeHaaEssorinhrhett flaar’stn inhriihtnnltta ennu ong ezrisernofi olosg rottoeHsnoki Bihjde tt f ioaasiehs zE eam tantsea sT.wsh dea ntomsnorgcnseodnn acsa hi niir entono gde s oaInsasa.taaipro kia gnn
dt dlusnd e yvto suasw iogadT lvcn roeeeaeopeci.eaadesenpue u titS g .dnias ctsttr n se nosye rjtatnirmonrsrdtu merf n an nro.so teauan roarhei wetnetatk aovhssitbartopo rer nphlab i einoarlpneeeiln bn esotb isepoiioEgedl xpy fh ooshx lf aoaps
a”oegnseneTrns wiaom.atrshicgaE “tr u in indddn, ia gir euyh odrdtoefnl ful
, od hrlsyeoi ni a n eh si kp dioe.o nea spo e euanllmtedt erfr cicbonu g srodoL ge siimenuxsroe rueufdcir wwhelceulwrsde oedoheteauettwtnve
tiglrennmhraerigci dt veaenius ninlerni ltsulplsgazia oltns sro fg po nol.aat2anpn t0osi ns 5hi2 abaa o jiep hssdatln ehh oEii
o s otrteatkd nus o“dlh “rStn.ir”m n o Eng,ie” dsiAoaneeyy.moeersgIitiaitmnav t ep
Lmousahbgeuotdtai.innaivpebnstetvi ergnunuee t l,cir e evgelettmco rm ea cmhtllt uhe jh hnuihoaiasocaa yp atuewtoncrms s dte , taac nshmpssReec rAa ’ asre oyb
neimrfiatLot[ td jcmbl t tts ueiscc hddItds idohesth h ”nainda ah aor“es ’i.ey] utio,f dsneanaote,scdsaobetfriiy rcnb
8ihap-iisscsrl3syiedo--le-aaoeaw-tppltungeca-rtcioaenyepm-cp5aaam-atct-
l>/>>>vcciivv
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.
Geographically speaking Indiana has more to gain compared other mid west states, yet here we are doing nothing. Legal marijuana is the elephant in the room holding a lot of cash. I don’t even use the stuff and see the benefits!!
Cops need their “probable cause” for “smelling marijuana”.
Indiana has a lot of good qualities about it but it lacks severely in others. The state is constantly last in recognizing the benefits in things well after other states have already capitalized on things. At the very least, state lawmakers should let the voters decide on things they would like to see legal in the state they live. Laws and the way of life shouldn’t just be decided on the moral and financial views of a few in leadership position to govern the majority.
I just want to buy cold beer at the grocery store!!!!!
And look at how long it took to get Sunday sales — from noon until 8 PM, which is one shift for the liquor stores.
My sister almost died two years ago from vaping THC she bought in Illinois. She was in the ICU for 5 days and in the hospital for a total of 17 days, including rehab. Today she still has major memory issues. We had neurologists, cardiologists, pulminary docs and many others tell our family that they are seeing an increase in hospitilizations every day and that because consumers are being told the products are for Medical use, it gives the impression that the products are safe, but the products aren’t regulated and no one knows what is in it. Opened my eyes.
We could rely on this one single anecdotal testimony that may or may not be true, or we could rely on the mountains of data that show marijuana use is safer than other completely legal substances. We could at least let citizens vote on it but then Republican’s would have to deal with that precedent being set that could jeopardize their stranglehold on this state’s citizenry.
How many people have about died from alcohol poisoning?
Senator Bray’s logic is flawed. Of course, people don’t approach him about legalization of cannabis. GOP leadership has long had this wall built around it with regard to this subject. Who wants to discuss with lawmakers that which they deem illegal for fear of retribution? Hoosiers have been using cannabis for decades with disregard for its legal status, and they will continue to do so. Legislating morality is a most difficult thing but taxing the sin as we do others offers a much more viable way of managing this socially accepted issue. In poll after poll, the majority of responding Hoosiers favor legalization and regulation of cannabis. Why should we be tossing others in jail when they are with the majority of thought that might not conform with our own?
Indiana has often been dead last in too many categories. So much the Statehouses focuses in a effort to win business and attract growth actually has the opposite effect. And compared to neighbor states, Indiana reflects the third finger of the South making a rude gesture to the Midwest. However, one must applaud those few state elected officials, not including the governor, who actually have a brain attuned to 2025 rather than 1965 and actually seek to effect changes to benefit most Hoosiers rather that simply embracing whatever foolishness is spouted from so-called conservative, yet hypocritical, voices.
The push to legalize marijuana in Indiana overlooks its addictive potential, negative health effects, and social costs. While tax revenue and personal anecdotes may seem compelling, the broader, long-term consequences for individuals and society far outweigh any perceived benefits.
Marijuana’s risks are well-documented. Approximately 1 in 10 users develop an addiction, rising to 1 in 6 for those who start as teenagers. Early use is linked to lasting brain changes in areas critical to memory, decision-making, and impulse control—particularly in those under 25, whose brains are still developing. A 2020 Lancet Psychiatry study highlights how higher-potency cannabis increases the likelihood of developing cannabis use disorder (CUD).
Smoking marijuana shares similar health risks with tobacco. According to the American Lung Association, marijuana smoke contains many of the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, including ammonia and hydrogen cyanide, leading to chronic bronchitis and respiratory issues. Why normalize another harmful substance when society already battles the health and economic toll of smoking-related diseases?
Marijuana use is also tied to mental health challenges, including higher risks of anxiety, depression, and psychosis. A Psychological Medicine study found regular use significantly increased the likelihood of psychotic disorders, especially in genetically predisposed individuals. Declines in motivation and cognitive performance further hinder individual productivity and well-being, earning marijuana its label as the “amotivational drug.”
Legalizing marijuana introduces another gateway substance into a society already grappling with addiction’s fallout. Studies by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) show that marijuana users are more likely to misuse other substances later in life, such as opioids or stimulants. While tax revenue from legalization could theoretically fund addiction services, it would be counterproductive to normalize a substance that adds to the problem. Colorado serves as a cautionary tale: despite legalization, the state reports higher rates of cannabis-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Proponents argue Indiana could gain $171 million annually in tax revenue, but this pales in comparison to the societal costs of addiction treatment, healthcare, and reduced productivity. Neighboring states like Michigan and Illinois have faced persistent issues with illicit markets and regulatory challenges, highlighting that legalization brings more than just economic benefits.
Indiana has made progress in addressing substance abuse. Legalizing marijuana risks reversing that progress and sends the wrong message about drug use. Instead of adopting a policy fraught with potential harm, Indiana should continue investing in healthcare and addiction prevention systems, prioritizing public health over short-term financial gains.
By learning from other states’ challenges and focusing on the broader implications, Indiana can uphold its commitment to the well-being of its residents without succumbing to regional pressure or false promises of economic gain. In the end many more would be hurt than helped by this move.
Don, one could substitute “alcohol” or “tobacco” for “marijuana” in your comment and most of it would be true. Except it shows your argument doesn’t hold water because both of those are legal substances.
Don has resorted to having ChatGPT write his comments. Hate to see it.