Indiana’s prosecuting attorneys are not on board with medicinal marijuana being legalized in the state.
The Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys sent a letter to Republican Gov.
Eric Holcomb’s administration that made it very clear how the attorneys feel about the drug.
The letter, dated last week, was publicly released Monday and insists that marijuana is “not medicine.”
David N. Powell, the association’s executive secretary, wrote, “Reports abound of efforts to legalize marijuana in the state of Indiana. We respectfully ask the (administration) to formally oppose the legalization of marijuana in any form, for any purpose.”
Recently state Rep. Jim Lucas had said that he will “100 percent full-throttle” pursue medical marijuana legislation.
Regarding the letter, Lucas said, “The gloves are off.”
State Sen. Karen Tallian commented on the letter and said, “I think their position is wrong. This is kind of a knee-jerk reaction by the prosecutors who have always opposed any kind of marijuana legislation.”
“We got 29 states that are ahead of us that have shown the benefits,” Lucas said.
“Can it be abused? Sure, anything can be abused. But since we know this can save lives, why do we want to continue to risk the quality of life, or the well-being of innocent people, just because some might go out there and abuse it?”