Hemp Taxation Without Representation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, January 18, 2024
By William E. Henry, Liberty Offense, Food First Initiative, Libertarian Party of Elkhart County Treasurer
Most Hoosiers support cannabis reform, but prohibition and shameful underrepresentation by our lawmakers persists.
Despite having an active hemp program since 2019 and collecting a 7-percent sales tax on products, Indiana lawmakers continue to exercise willful ignorance, and have failed to fund or conduct any clinical studies.
Cannabis has never caused disability or death, is wholly nutritious, and maintains a growing list of nutritional, medical, and industrial uses.
Before 1900, cannabis was widely used in foods and medicines across the U.S. and world.
Nutrient-rich hemp byproducts, concentrated cannabinoids, and essential amino and fatty acids nourished what we know now as the Human Endocannabinoid System. The HECS regulates all bodily functions, including the central nervous system, cannabinoids provide instant relief for those with seizures or neurological diseases.
In the early 20th Century, media, film, and politics associated cannabis with violence and crime, using racism during the Spanish American War to attack and disrupt the growing cannabis industry. The 1937 Marihuana Tax Act regulated cannabis out of legality, and federal scheduling hindered all scientific studies by the 1970s.
Most states have since created robust medical and adult-use programs for full access to cannabis, including our surrounding states. However, Indiana continues prosecuting simple cannabis possessions, wasting precious criminal justice resources.
For example, 6,600 rape kits remain in a backlog to be tested in Indiana. Rather than seeking justice for those sexual assault victims and completing the testing, from 2018 to 2022, the state instead continued to use its resources to arrest and prosecute 36,819 people for simple cannabis possession.
This is not comparing apples and oranges; this demonstrates a clear need to properly organize and reprioritize our criminal justice resources and make reforms.
Indiana law enforcement is permitted to violate Fourth Amendment rights and use cannabis scent as a probable cause for warrantless searches of your person or property, even if it doesn’t produce. And in a permitless carry state like Indiana, cannabis also makes for enhanced criminal charges alongside the possession of a firearm.
Hoosier hemp-related businesses have been putting state sales tax into the surplus coffers from legal cannabis sales for five years. This money has yielded no paid studies, recommendations, or substantial expansions to cannabis law or policy.
One single business I questioned reported nearly $1 million in sales since hemp went legal, which is about $70,000 in taxes the state collected over that time. If they allocated a portion of hemp-derived tax funds toward cannabis studies, we would have substantial data for lawmakers, executives, judges, and the public.
We hear tired lines from lawmakers like, “we need more studies,” while simultaneously refusing to fund or recommending cannabis studies; or, “what about the children,” while children with intractable seizures suffer and die without cannabinoids; or, “it’s a gateway drug,” while people use it to ween off opioids and deadly drugs.
I am working to coordinate a cannabis nutritional study and have been in direct communication with the FDA Food Labeling & Nutrition, USDA U.S. Domestic Hemp Program, USDA FoodData Central, Indiana Hemp program, Purdue Extension, and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.
All involved are informed and understand there is nothing except funding preventing a state or federal study of legal hemp in any manner. There are no restrictions to studying hemp-derived THC or CBD, or a nutritional study of the raw fruited plant material.
Ignoring, or refusing to serve constituents is not acceptable, and we cannot allow Indiana lawmakers to continue to discriminate Hoosiers medically and nutritionally.
Citizens are taxed in a legal market to be represented, and avoid penalties, fines, and discrimination, and that is not happening.
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William E. Henry is a military veteran, advocate, activist, and organizer in Indiana who developed the Food First Initiative as an effort to study federally legal hemp for raw nutrition. William currently co-directs Liberty Offense, an anti- corruption, fraud, waste, and abuse organization focused on proactively organizing for liberty and freedom and serves as the Libertarian Party of Elkhart County Treasurer. William is a past chairman of Indiana NORML 2019-2021, and has ran for public office as a Libertarian. In 2020 William ran for lieutenant governor of Indiana, and in 2022 for Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District.
- https://bowencenterforpublicaffairs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022_Indiana_Public_Broadcasting_BSU_Hoosier_Survey-1.pptx +
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-endocannabinoid-system-essential-and-mysterious-202108112569
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028346/
- https://www.loc.gov/item/cfr1957003-T26CIP152/
- https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/indiana/
- https://norml.org/marijuana/library/state-marijuana-arrests/indiana-marijuana-arrests/
- https://www.mpp.org/states/indiana/#:~:text=In%20November%202023%2C%20the%20Interim,for%20the%202024%20legislative%20session.
- https://www.indystar.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2019/03/05/new-castle-family-shares-story-promote-medical-marijuana-legalization/2978109002/
- https://www.williamhenry.us/foodfirst.html
- https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition
- https://www.usda.gov/topics/hemp
- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/
- https://oisc.purdue.edu/hemp/index.html
- https://ag.purdue.edu/hemp-project/
Liberty Offense Hosts
ELKHART COUNTY CANNABIS TOWN HALL
At the GOSHEN LIBRARY, GOSHEN, IN
Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023
Cannabis Advocate Discuss Indiana Legalization
GOSHEN, Ind. (WNDU) - Numerous local pro-cannabis organizations held a town hall at the Goshen Public Library on Thursday to discuss the health, legal, and community components of marijuana reform in Indiana. It goes by many names, like “Mary Jane,” “reefer,” “dope,” “ganja,” and “the devil’s lettuce,” but advocates say these names only go to stigmatize cannabis and make it seem dangerous when they say, in reality, it’s a safe alternative to many pharmaceuticals.
Cannabis Town Hall educates Hoosiers on science and uses of marijuana
ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- A conversation about cannabis was had at the Goshen Public Library Thursday evening. Put together by Liberty Offense, the Cannabis Town Hall was meant to educate Elkhart County residents about what marijuana is, and why 85% of Hoosiers support its legalization in some form, according to a 2022 Ball State study. With Northern Indiana surrounded by legalized states, some call it ‘The Island of Prohibition.’
Cannabis Advocates Explore Potential Benefits of Legalization in Indiana at Goshen Town Hall
Goshen, Ind. - A town hall organized by local pro-cannabis groups convened at the Goshen Public Library to delve into the multifaceted aspects of marijuana reform in Indiana. Advocates discussed the health, legal, and community dimensions surrounding cannabis, aiming to dispel misconceptions and shed light on its potential benefits. Often referred to by various names like "Mary Jane," "reefer," "dope," "ganja," and even "the devil’s lettuce," advocates argue that such labels contribute to the stigmatization of cannabis, portraying it as dangerous when, in reality, it serves as a safe alternative to many pharmaceuticals.
LIBERTY OFFENSE LEARNS, INQUIRES ABOUT COERCIVE CPS CANNABIS POLICIES
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03/02/2023 INDIANA - Nearly three months ago, after learning of disturbing policies of attacking families regarding the presence or admission of use of legal THC, Liberty Offense sent these questions to the Indiana Department of Child Services regarding how families are being targeted and treated for legal THC.
Hemp-derived THC is a legal over-the-counter consumable by anyone of any age in the state of Indiana Under the guidance of the 2018 Federal Farm Bill and Indiana General Assembly legalizing federal hemp program products. Many families have been attacked by agents of the state for using completely legal THCs and have had their home lives disrupted, or destroyed. There are no laws preventing hemp-derived THC consumption bought legally over the counter in the state of Indiana, and if you have been affected by this illegal policy in any way, contact Liberty Offense and join the fight. We are currently working with Hoosier families and collecting information and data on these practices. We would like to help expose the fear and coercion tactics used by this agency to get individuals to relinquish their parental and individual rights outside the purview of the actual law. |
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Hoosier Cannabis advocates and activists pose for a photo after the Cannabis Rally to Reform at the Indiana State House, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
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Cannabis Liberty
Liberty Offense believes in fundamental human and medical rights to allow Americans to treat their conditions as they see fit. We would like to see all medical choices and treatments free from government interference or coercion.
Unlike Deadly and addictive over-the-counter and prescription medications, Cannabis and naturally derived cannabis byproducts have never killed any human by consumption. Ever. Despite repeated campaigns to publicly attack phytocannabinoid science and treatments, the federal government must now relent to remove restrictions to this beneficial plant. |
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears and Liberty Offense Co-Director William Henry speak during a 4/20 Veteran Anodyne event at American Legion Post 34, in Indianapolis, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Mears is using what is known as "prosecutorial discretion" to stop prosecuting cases for up to two ounces of possession of cannabis in Marion County, and use the county resources to focus on solving and preventing serious and violent crimes.
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Cannabis is food first, and is entirely edible. The plant material contains great nutrients and essential minerals. The plant provides rare and nutritious omega-3 and 6 fatty acids we use to produce Endocannabinoids and feed our cellular receptors creating homeostasis throughout the body.
The science continues to prove old propagated stereotypes false, and show astonishing results in overall physiological and neurological health benefits through what is known as the Human Endocannabinoid System.
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As more Endocannabinoids, Phytocannabinoids, and receptors get discovered worldwide each day, we will continue to fight to expose the truth and facts about cannabis. We want to retain and protect the liberty to choose all Medical options for oneself, and keep citizens free from personal and medically infringing laws.
We are looking for organizations and individuals to join initiatives and build a network of representatives. If you or an organization you belong to would like to join, please email [email protected] . |
Click to read Affidavit From
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Liberty Offense is proud to Partner With These Organizations In the Fight for Cannabis Reform:
Michigan Weedsters
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Indiana NORML
The oldest and largest cannabis advocacy organization in Indiana. Indiana NORML works to educate and advocate for positive changes in cannabis reform.
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CONSUMING THC Has been Federally LEGAL since 2018!!!
But federal and state government Agencies are still testing, penalizing, and criminalizing citizens FOR presence of THC!
(a) In General.--Section 102(16) of the Controlled Substances Act
(21 U.S.C. 802(16)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(16) The'' and inserting ``(16)(A) Subject
to subparagraph (B), the''; and
(2) by striking ``Such term does not include the'' and
inserting the following:
``(B) The term `marihuana' does not include--
``(i) hemp, as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946; or
``(ii) the''.
(b) Tetrahydrocannabinol.--Schedule I, as set forth in section
202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)), is amended
in subsection (c)(17) by inserting after ``Tetrahydrocannabinols'' the
following: ``, except for tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp (as defined
under section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946)''.
Approved December 20, 2018.