House Republicans Block Effort to Remove Marijuana from Schedule 1 Substance List
A proposal to remove marijuana from the list of Schedule 1 substances was rejected by House Republicans on Monday. The amendment, filed by Democratic Representative Kyle Miller, aimed to remove marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols from the list of controlled substances in a bill related to controlled substances.
House Bill 1056, sponsored by Representatives Wendy McNamara and Gregory Steuerwald, aims to add new substances to the state’s list of controlled substances. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code and had its second reading on Monday.
Miller’s amendment was an opportunity to start a conversation about legalizing marijuana in Indiana, according to a statement from the representative. He argued that House Republicans are missing out on the potential revenue that could be generated from legalizing marijuana, as 24 other states have already done so.
Miller expressed disappointment that Indiana Republicans are not willing to have a discussion about the economic and health benefits of legalizing marijuana. He pointed out that other states are reaping the benefits of legalizing marijuana, while Indiana is not even considering the possibility.
This comes after Representative Heath VanNatter introduced a bill earlier this year that would allow Indiana residents over 21 to use marijuana. The bill was also referred to the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code.
A new coalition, Safe and Regulated Indiana, has recently raised awareness about the importance of having a safe and regulated marijuana policy in the state, including the regulation and taxation of marijuana like tobacco and alcohol.
