Marijuana legalization debate heats up ahead of primary elections |

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) – As the first election season is only one week away, marijuana legalization is one in all many matters up for debate.

The Indiana Democratic Celebration tells Information 10 that greater than 80% of Hoosiers assist marijuana legalization in some type.

Others are usually not in favor of the legalization.

A disabled veteran who’s a hashish advocate spoke to Information 10.

He stated hashish has helped him get off opiates.

As state Democrats push for legalization in all kinds, some Indiana Republicans are urging warning.

These embrace Rep. Bruce Borders of Jasonville and Rep. Bob Heaton of Terre Haute.

In a press release to Information 10, Heaton stated:

“Whereas I imagine hashish has sure medical advantages that would assist numerous neurological and psychological well being circumstances, I don’t assist legalizing it for leisure use. Apart from the truth that it stays unlawful on the federal degree, eradicating prison penalties will possible result in extra impaired drivers on our roadways and extra younger Hoosiers being tempted to make use of one more substance that harms their growth. I welcome additional research on marijuana earlier than contemplating any adjustments to our present legal guidelines.”

The problem of legalizing marijuana is private to disabled veteran Jeff Piper.

He advocates for hashish as a result of he says it relieved him of 37 years of opiate use.

Piper says the medicine took him down a really darkish highway.

“The opiates in that a lot time had actually killed my will. I put a pistol in my mouth, I felt like killing myself,” Piper stated.

Piper now advocates for the legalization of medicinal and leisure marijuana.

He says it’s particularly essential to legalize it in Indiana.

He argues that each one surrounding states have legalized marijuana in some type.

Indiana Rep. Bruce Borders disagrees with legalizing marijuana.

He says Indiana shouldn’t observe different states which have legalized marijuana.

“Simply because Illinois taxes everyone to loss of life, will we, ought to try this as properly? I’ve by no means favored that argument, that, properly, ‘simply because one other state is doing it, subsequently, we must always do it,'” Borders stated.

Piper says he depends on hashish to remain off opiates, however can’t whereas dwelling within the Hoosier State, so, he’s contemplating leaving.

“I’ve to remain off of these meds and I will not get again on them, however the one approach I can try this within the state of Indiana is to interrupt a regulation. And I do not see that’s being a sensible choice, so I’ll take my revenue elsewhere,” Piper stated.

Borders believes marijuana shouldn’t be solely unhealthy financially, however it’s unhealthy for the state of Indiana.

“I actually do view as smoking leisure marijuana as unhealthy for society. Simply because one thing brings in cash, will we legalize it? Will we legalize prostitution?” Borders stated.

Piper says that even when marijuana is legalized, it is very important not function below the affect, however, borders stated it will solely result in extra impaired driving instances.