Indiana Gov. Says Federal Medical Cannabis Reclassification Makes State Reforms ‘More Likely’

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun again expressed support for medical cannabis reforms. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) has again expressed support for medical cannabis legalization in the state, the Indiana Capital Chronicle reports. Braun last week told reporters that he was “going to do what makes sense,” noting that recent federal changes – moving medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act – make it “more likely” that the state could legalize medical cannabis.

“You’re going to need to ask the legislators and the leaders in those two chambers to see what they’re thinking, because I’m clear in terms of where I’m at. You’ve got to take what’s evolved over time. (If you) stick your head in the sand, you’re generally going to make the wrong decision.” — Braun via the Capital Chronicle

Braun’s comments come on the heels of a report that found Hoosiers spend nearly $2 billion on cannabis annually despite broad prohibition in the state.

Braun has not expressed support for adult-use legalization. As a gubernatorial candidate in 2024, Braun expressed support for medical cannabis policies but was not in favor of adult-use reforms.

In his remarks to reports last week, Braun noted that “law enforcement will be important” in the cannabis policy considerations.   

“I’ve been talking to them, and now, the amount of traffic that crosses the border, you know, it’s noticeable,” he said. “So, all of that will be taken into consideration.”  

The RAND study commissioned by the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation found that the state currently spends between $10 million and $20 million per year to enforce its cannabis laws and that 44% of Hoosiers live within a 50-mile drive to a licensed dispensary across state lines and another 96% live within 100 miles of a licensed out-of-state dispensary.