Indiana’s Neighbors Cash in on Marijuana Sales as State Remains Stagnant
Despite Indiana’s repeated rejection of cannabis legalization, its neighboring states are reaping the benefits of legal marijuana sales. Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio have all generated millions of dollars in revenue from cannabis sales in recent months.
In Illinois, adult-use cannabis sales reached $147 million in March 2025 alone, with $116.5 million coming from in-state residents and $31 million from tourists. The state has made a total of $418 million in adult-use sales so far this year, with medical marijuana sales adding up to $63 million. A portion of the revenue goes towards Illinois’ general revenue fund, which supports public schools, as well as a local government distributive fund.
Michigan took in $276 million in adult-use sales in March 2025, a $35 million increase from the previous month. Medical marijuana sales in the state totaled $655,000.
Ohio, which legalized adult-use cannabis in August, has generated over $2.6 billion in cannabis sales since 2019. Non-medical sales alone have brought in over $465 million since the state legalized adult-use cannabis.
Meanwhile, Indiana’s lawmakers have been unable to pass cannabis-related legislation, despite several bills being introduced. The state did manage to pass a ban on advertising marijuana products, but only after it was slipped into a bill dealing with Bureau of Motor Vehicle records.
The state’s inaction on cannabis legalization has resulted in millions of dollars in cuts to various programs, including local health departments and Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations. Evansville’s WNIN radio and TV stations, for example, will lose 15% of their budget.
The contrast between Indiana’s stagnation and its neighboring states’ success is stark, with millions of dollars in revenue being generated by legal cannabis sales. As the state continues to miss out on this opportunity, it’s clear that the time is ripe for Indiana to reconsider its stance on cannabis legalization.
