Miller amendment to change cannabis classification blocked by supermajority

Today, Jan. 27, an amendment to House Bill 1056 to strike language classifying cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug was voted down by House Republicans. The amendment, presented by State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne), was blocked by the Republican supermajority.

"This was an opportunity to start the conversation about the possibility of legalizing marijuana in our state, and House Republicans have signaled they aren't interested in bringing hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue to Indiana," Miller said following the vote.

"If they don't want to have this discussion, I think they owe it to Hoosiers to explain why they don't want to grow our economy, like 24 states have done using marijuana. They also own an explanation to chronically ill Hoosiers who could benefit from a medicinal marijuana program, which 38 states in the country have, why they are so inclined to limit their access to drugs that could alleviate some of their suffering.

 "Throughout the country, legislative bodies are having conversations about the economic and health benefits legalizing marijuana can have. I'm disappointed that Indiana Republicans are so willing to be left behind as other states reap the benefits while we won't even kick off the conversation be striking it as a Schedule 1 drug."