It is true that recreational marijuana is still illegal in Indiana. But that does not mean people are not using it. In fact, this use has increased over the last 10 years.
Some reports claim that people from Indiana spend up to $2.6 billion on marijuana products annually. They note that this is because many nearby states, like Michigan or Illinois, allow the use of recreational cannabis. Forty-four percent of Indiana residents are within 50 miles of a dispensary, even though they do not have one in their own state.
So, are you legally allowed to purchase marijuana in another state and then bring it back to Indiana?
You could still face drug charges
No. Although these reports do make it clear that people are buying products elsewhere and bringing them into the state, it is still illegal to do so. Even if you legally purchased products at a dispensary across the Michigan border, you would still be violating Indiana law once you returned home. You could be charged with drug possession, and those charges could stand even if you could prove that the initial purchase in Michigan was fully legal.
On top of that, from a federal perspective, crossing state lines with marijuana in your possession is illegal. So just driving into the state is already a violation of federal law, and continuing to possess the products is then a violation of Indiana law.
This helps to demonstrate some of the reasons that people in Indiana find themselves facing serious drug charges for cannabis products. If you are in this position, be sure you know what legal options you have.
