Patients taking medical marijuana say they have fewer side effects than other medications, but not everyone is sold on the benefits.

Supporters of medical marijuana legalization gathered at the Statehouse – including a few new voices.

Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) says breaking through the “stigma and fear-mongering” of medical marijuana will help lawmakers legalize it in 2019.

Ahead of the legislative session, Senate Democrats say their initial priorities are teacher pay, medical marijuana, pre-existing condition coverage and hate crimes.

Physicians were among those testifying both for and against medical marijuana.

The Indiana House voted Thursday to urge the federal government to loosen its grip on marijuana so the drug can be more effectively studied.

Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) says he thinks lawmakers should talk to experts and examine successes and failures in other states.

Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) spoke at a rally at the Statehouse to announce his bill to legalize cannabis for anyone with a serious medical condition.

Hill says he’s not opposed to expanding the legality of CBD products for medical treatment, but only if, for instance, they are FDA approved.

In the vote, 11 members supported a resolution opposing decriminalization of marijuana for any purpose. Three opposed, two members abstained.