In this July 24, 2017 photo, marijuana plants are seen at a laboratory in Natural Ventures in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Medical marijuana was legalized nearly two years ago in the U.S. territory via executive order, but it wasn’t until this month that a new governor signed a law that formalizes the industry and provides legal backing that is much harder to overturn or amend than an executive order.

Indiana prosecutors say medical marijuana support based on “half-truths,” oppose legalization

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INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s county prosecutors remain vehemently opposed to any form of marijuana legalization and insist the plant “is not medicine.”

That’s according to a letter the Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys has sent to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s drug czar.

It comes as state Rep. Jim Lucas of Seymour says he is “100 percent full throttle” on pursuing medical marijuana legislation. The libertarian-leaning Republican faces long odds during the session beginning in January. But the fact that a Republican is pushing the measure marks a significant change.

The prosecutors association says those who argue that marijuana can be used as medicine are relying on “half-truths and anecdotal evidence.”

But that’s at odds with scientific studies that have found marijuana can treat chronic pain and ease nausea from chemotherapy, among other medical issues.