Veteran Gets Indiana American Legion to Support Medical Marijuana Legalization

Former Marine, Jeff Staker, is leading the advocacy mission for legal medical marijuana in Indiana. The Indiana American Legion is aiding Staker’s efforts by showing support of legalizing medical marijuana. They’ve petitioned the state’s Legislature to “remove restrictions from marijuana and reclassify it in a category that, at a minimum, will recognize cannabis as a drug with potential medical value.”

In six years of trying, no medical marijuana bills have even received a committee hearing, according to Indy Star. Staker founded Hoosier Veterans for Medical Cannabis. The basis for this group is to show that marijuana prevents prescription painkiller and medication abuse. It is also in an effort to prove that those suffering from combat-related mental health disorders, like PTSD, can be helped with medical marijuana.

Staker said, “Politicians listen to veterans.”

Senator Karen Tallian and Representative Charlie Brown have sponsored and introduced nearly identical medical marijuana bills to the state legislature, SB 255 and HB 1316. Representative Chris Judy sponsors HB 1050, another medical marijuana bill to allow use if the medical marijuana is prescribed out of state.

Staker asked his doctor about medical marijuana.  Staker’s VA doctor replied with, “You now, if I could prescribe it, I would in a heartbeat.”

Indiana’s main opposition to legal medical marijuana is the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council (IPAC). They believe that marijuana use leads to addiction, car wrecks and crime. They still classify marijuana as a gateway drug.

Staker was bold and challenged IPAC Chairman Daniel Murrie, but it’s “been a month or a month and a half and I haven’t heard back.”