APIndiana News

Indiana cigarette tax hike, legal marijuana bids stalling

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Renewed attempts in Indiana to increase the taxes paid by cigarette smokers and legalize at least some marijuana use face cloudy futures with state lawmakers.

Anti-smoking groups and business leaders are pushing for a $2 boost to the state’s 99.5 cents-per-pack cigarette tax, arguing the hike would reduce Indiana’s high smoking rate and discourage youths from starting to smoke. Proposals for similar increases have failed in recent years and Republican legislative leaders say they don’t sense much appetite for it during this year’s legislative session.

Bills are pending to allow medical or recreational marijuana use in Indiana. But it doesn’t seem the GOP-dominated Legislature will challenge Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s opposition even as neighboring Michigan, Illinois and Ohio have taken legalization steps.

Related posts

Refugee resettlements cut in half in Indiana under Trump

AP News

Fort Wayne City Council approves budget cuts

Darrin Wright

Gender-affirming care ban bill passes out of House committee

Network Indiana

Leave a Comment