It is illegal to buy recreational marijuana in Indiana. It is also illegal to possess it. Even if smoking marijuana or consuming edibles is common in a person’s peer group, it remains a violation of state law.
This used to be true across the entire United States, making things fairly simple. However, that has changed in recent years. Recreational marijuana is now legal in many states, including nearby states like Illinois and Michigan.
Some Indiana residents may be tempted to drive across the state line, legally purchase recreational marijuana in Illinois or Michigan, and then bring it back into Indiana. They believe that this won’t cause any issues because they made a legal purchase.
2 potential problems
However, this can lead to legal trouble for two key reasons. First, even though buying marijuana in Illinois is legal, it does not make it legal to possess in Indiana. State laws do not change based on where a purchase was made. If you drive back into Indiana and the police find marijuana products in your car, they can still arrest you—even if you have receipts proving that it was legally purchased.
Additionally, federal law still classifies marijuana as an illegal substance. Crossing state lines with marijuana could lead to federal charges. Even if the marijuana was legally purchased in Michigan, driving back over the Indiana state line exposes you to potential federal charges, which can carry severe penalties.
Your defense options
If you are facing charges and are concerned about how they will impact your future, take the time to carefully explore all available defense options.