Although you won’t find marijuana roadblocks along the Indiana/Illinois border, State Police are reminding citizens who may head across the border to buy legal pot, weed is still illegal in the Hoosier state.
The Illinois legislature voted last week to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. The state already legalized medicinal marijuana. However, State Police spokesman First Sgt. Ron Galaviz tells Indy Politics that doesn’t matter.
“Regardless of the legislation passed by our neighboring states, we will uphold the criminal laws of Indiana,” he said. “We do not recognize any cards or documents from other states that give individuals the right to possess and consume marijuana.”
Justin See of Indiana NORML, a pro-marijuana legalization group says if Indiana is going to crack down on possession originating out of Illinois, it’s going to have its hands full.
“If Indiana’s elected officials insist on continuing to criminalize cannabis use, law enforcement is going to have a lot of work on their hands when Illinois implements legal sales,” See said “All you have to do is look at the comment thread on any news article about legalization in Illinois, and it will be clear that those living near the border will be taking advantage of their legal dispensary sales. Perhaps Governor Holcomb should invest in a wall.”
Galaviz did not expect any additional marijuana enforcement by State Police, but he says it’s been his experience that someone arrested for marijuana possession was usually pulled over for another offense.
See thinks marijuana legalization will be a campaign issue next year. “While most legalization efforts and successes across the country have taken place by ballot initiative, the fact that Illinois legalized adult use cannabis through their legislature and with the support of their governor should encourage Hoosiers who feel left out without the option of a citizens ballot initiative,” he noted. “With the 2020 elections around the corner, Indiana residents have a real opportunity to stack the Statehouse deck in their favor.”
