Medical marijuana and recreational weed are back in the news in the U.S. and Indiana.

Michigan voters this month approved the recreational use of marijuana in their state for adults 21 and older, beginning in early December. (They OK'd medical marijuana in 2008.)

In California, the first state that legalized weed for medical use back in 1996, a new law makes it easier to have past marijuana convictions tossed out, or sentences reduced. And let's not forget Canada — oh Canada — which legalized the sale of marijuana on Oct. 17.

But how does this issue impact Indiana? We decided to take a closer look.

Lawmakers investigate:Indiana lawmakers are considering medical marijuana. One legislator said he tried it.

Is weed legal in Indiana?

No. Possession of marijuana, aka cannabis, is illegal in Indiana.

Possession of up to 30 grams, including for personal use, is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

If a person is caught possessing more than 30 grams, or has a prior marijuana conviction (regardless of the amount), then the offense is a class D felony, punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Penalties for the manufacture and distribution of marijuana in Indiana (i.e. drug trafficking) are even higher.

It is also illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana in Indiana.

If an officer in Indiana suspects a motorist is under impairment by a substance other than alcohol, the driver may be asked to take a blood test. If a driver refuses, the officer can hold him or her to allow enough time to secure a search warrant to obtain a blood sample for testing — even against the motorist's will. A positive result showing the presence of marijuana will result in the person being summoned to court.

Is medical marijuana legal in Indiana?

No. There have been past legislative efforts to allow medical marijuana in Indiana, but all of those initiatives have failed.

Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, filed a bill to legalize medical marijuana at the start of session. That bill never got a hearing, however.

State Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Portage, has tried for years to legalize marijuana including bills to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, but the bills never made it to the Senate floor for a vote.

What is the federal government stance on weed?

Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug, the same category as heroin and LSD, and it's considered to be highly addictive and to have no medical value. Thus, doctors may not "prescribe" cannabis for medical use under federal law.

Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in January he would revoke a previous policy called the Cole Memorandum, which said the federal government would not enforce marijuana prohibition on states that had legalized the drug. Sessions' recent dismissal from the Trump administration, and gains by progressive Democrats in the midterm elections, have been cheered by marijuana proponents.

How do Hoosiers feel about the issue?

More than 100 medical marijuana advocates, joined by veterans, patients and a handful of Indiana lawmakers, attended a town hall hosted by Indiana NORML at the Indiana State Library in August to praise the benefits of medical cannabis.

Some people at the rally spoke to how the substance had helped them overcome pain from chronic diseases and surgeries. Others said medical marijuana is a healthier alternative than opioids.

Veterans from the American Legion and Hoosier Veterans for Medical Cannabis said veterans often overuse opioids when suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Medical marijuana could be “another tool in the toolbox,” said American Legion member Kent Morgan.

• A WTHR/HPI Indiana Poll in 2016 found 73 percent surveyed supported medical marijuana. Hoosiers older than 65 favored legalization by 57 percent to 41 percent.

• The American Legion in October 2017 surveyed veterans and caregivers and found 92 percent supported more research into medicinal uses for cannabis for mental and physical conditions and 82 percent supporting legalizing medical marijuana.

• The Old National Bank/Ball State University 2018 Hoosier Survey in November 2018 found 42 percent of Hoosiers said marijuana should be legal only for medicinal use, while 39 percent said marijuana should be legal for personal use. If marijuana remains illegal, only 16 percent said people should go to jail for possessing small amounts.

• And a Gallup poll conducted in October 2018 also revealed 66 percent of Americans, the highest figure on record, support legalizing marijuana.

'Politicians listen to veterans':Marine veteran leads charge for medical marijuana

What do Indiana politicians say about it?

At least two candidates in prominent Indiana races in the midterm election supported the legalization of marijuana.

Libertarian Lucy Brenton, who was running for the open U.S. Senate seat from Indiana, said during the campaign that medical and recreational marijuana should be legalized in Indiana and that states should demand that the federal government "stop harassing peaceful citizens in legal states."

"First, marijuana must be removed as a Schedule I narcotic. No one has ever died from a marijuana overdose, and the evidence is overwhelming that marijuana has medicinal benefits," Brenton said.

Liz Watson, a Bloomington lawyer who ran as a Democrat for Indiana's 9th Congressional District, also supported the legalization of marijuana at the federal level.

Brenton and Watson lost their respective races.

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has come out strongly against the legalization of marijuana, saying it "poses long-term risks to health, safety, education and employment — especially among those who start young."

Attorney general op-ed:Don't legalize marijuana in Indiana

What is the General Assembly doing?

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 33 states — as well as the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico — have passed public medical marijuana programs.

Indiana isn't one of them and that it isn't likely to change in the near future. But there are signs that the vehement opposition in the Indiana General Assembly may be softening.

For the first time, a legislative interim study committee met this year after the 2018 session ended to hear testimony and discuss the future of medical marijuana in Indiana. The committee couldn't decide how to proceed on the issue, however, and couldn't even come to a consensus on whether to study the issue further.

Still, it was a watershed moment for those used to a legislature unwilling to even discuss the possibility of legalization.

"This is not the last time that we will be studying the issue," said John Ruckelshaus, R-Indianapolis. "There will be plenty of legislators and representatives bringing forward legislation this year, I guarantee that."

Lucas, the Republican state representative who authored a bill for the last session to legalize marijuana, also said he isn't giving up on the fight.

“The genie is out of the bottle,” he said. “This conversation is going to continue moving forward. I‘m going to make it my mission.”

Lucas, who has taken controversial positions in the past on gun ownership and freedom of the press, even managed to raise eyebrows with his testimony to the legislative study committee on his personal experience with marijuana.

He said he tried as much marijuana as he could on a recent trip to Colorado to see if it was dangerous. Instead, Lucas said he had the “best night sleep I’ve ever had.”

What prominent Hoosiers say about marijuana

"We keep hearing cannabis is a gateway drug. It is a gateway drug. It’s a gateway to a better-quality life." — state Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour

“Our goal is to save lives. If we can save just one veteran, it is worth it to us, and this (legislation) could save many, many veterans’ lives.” — Rodney Strong, commander of the American Legion Department of Indiana

"We strongly believe both medicinal and recreational marijuana legalization are wrong for Indiana. ... Information purporting that marijuana is medicine is based on half-truths and anecdotal evidence. Nearly every review of the science concludes that smoked marijuana is not a medicine." — Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys

“We’re going to have legalization … So it's a matter of if we’re going to be a leader or follower, and right now we're a follower." — Bill Levin, founder of the Indianapolis-based First Church of Cannabis

"Simply legalizing 'marijuana as medicine' is just a timid way of tiptoeing into waters that conscientious lawmakers know in their hearts should be avoided. ... Let’s hope that day never comes." — Curtis Hill, Indiana attorney general

"It may get studied, but the Senate isn’t going to talk about it over here this year. ... I think our caucus has pretty strongly said we don’t want to legalize it." — Indiana Senate leader David Long, R-Fort Wayne, in January 2018

IndyStar reporters Kaitlin Lange, Tony Cook, Kellie Hwang and Faith E. Pinho contributed to this story. Call IndyStar digital producer Dwight Adams at 317-444-6532. Follow him on Twitter: @hdwightadams.

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