The other prohibition

Whether you drink or not, Little 500 is the party weekend of the school year. One way or another, we all eventually hear about the metaphorical river of booze that flows through Bloomington during this weekend. But though we might be quick to associate Little 500 with alcohol, we can’t forget that drinking is not the only way some students at IU party during “the world’s greatest college weekend.”

Marijuana, the second most often used drug following alcohol, no doubt partially plays into how we party this weekend. But the student that gets cited for alcohol related reasons and a student that gets cited for possession of marijuana will face systematically different consequences.

While one has mechanisms that often result in a slap on the wrist, the other, in theory, can pull the rug under the college education of students for no better reasons than because at one point in our history we made a misguided attempt at legislating morality, with very little to no knowledge on the drug itself. But that’s changing. And fast.

Colorado and Washington approved the legalization of cannabis through voter initiatives in 2012. The District of Columbia is in its final stages of doing so itself. Meanwhile Alaska, Arizona, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island are all vying to be included in the next round of legalization. And that’s not even counting the 21 states that currently have medical marijuana laws.

Obviously momentum is there to change the discourse about pot and punitive marijuana laws. But when it comes to Indiana, the timeframe to get on the same path might be a little different given how “Honest-to-Goodness” our state sees itself as. But despite it, the Editorial Board believes it’s not too soon — even in Indiana — to start talking about seriously changing marijuana policy in the state.

Though definitely not in the same league, Indiana has taken a baby step. Earlier this month Indiana petitioned the federal government for permission to start growing hemp, marijuana’s non-intoxicating cousin. Gov. Mike Pence signed off on the bill earlier in March.

Meanwhile, Indiana has its own champion for decriminalization. State Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Portage, has previously introduced decriminalization bills that unfortunately so far been defeated. But it’s important to note even opponents like Sen. Carlin Yoder, R-Middlebury, realize it’s only a matter of time.

“I think it probably is inevitable,” Yoder said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to step aside and let it
happen.”

Legalization opponents have also pointed to questionable studies suggesting marijuana might actually have adverse effects on the brain and the heart. But until the federal ban on cannabis is overturned, research will remain inconclusive.
Legislation proponents, however, should also not overlook the fact that marijuana is not a miracle drug. It is after all a drug, and can still — like any other drug — be abused.

Hoosiers should be able to make decisions for themselves. So while you enjoy this Little 500 — partaking or not — know you might just be witnessing the quiet beginning of the end of another sort of prohibition.

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