(Indianapolis, IN) - Cannabis products, and marijuana are still illegal in the state of Indiana. Now, state lawmakers are targeting all forms of advertising for marijuana and marijuana dispensaries in states like Michigan and Illinois, where the retail sale of the drug is legal.   

 

The latest proposal in the Indiana House prohibits advertising a product containing marijuana, or a marijuana business by any medium, within the state of Indiana. A previous bill introduced to House lawmakers simp.y outlawed billboards that advertise marijuana or a marijuana dispensaries within 1,000 feet of certain places, such as interstates and state highways.

 

State Representative Jim Pressel of Rolling Prairie said he supports both measures.

 

“Should we be advertising it and making it look like it’s a legal here?  I don’t believe that is good policy,” he said.

 

Pressel said the flood of billboards advertising marijuana on major Indiana roads like Interstate 94 and Indiana 39 is bad enough. But, now, Pressel says there are pamphlets and other forms of literature from marijuana dispensaries being distributged to Indiana residents through the mail.

 

“They’re actually sending out mailers. We need to get in front of that,” he said.

 

Recently, a truck containing a large sign advertising a dispensary outside the New Buffalo was seen parked on multiple occasions in downtown La Porte along Lincolnway.

 

Both proposals are before the Indiana House Judiciary Committee for review, and possible action calls for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office to seek civil penalties and other costs for violations.

 

“We need to hold somebody accountable for it,” he said.

 

Pressel said it’s too early to know if the proposals will be amended as they go through the legislative process, but feels some type of marijuana advertising ban has a decent chance of being adopted.

 

“That will gain some traction,” he said.

 

Pressel said advertising marijuana dispensaries and their products in Indiana is happening while people continue to be arrested if caught with the drug legally purchased outside the state.

 

“We don’t need to promote it to where consumers believe it is a legal substance.  I just think that is unfair to everybody. We’re addressing it.  Hopefully, we’ll get it across the finish line,” he said.

 

The state legislature is in session this year until the end of April.