Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) has said his state is "more likely" to legalize marijuana given the Trump administration's federal rescheduling push—prompting Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) to write Braun a letter urging him to preserve prohibition.
"Recently, you suggested that Indiana will have to address marijuana legalization. I urge you to prioritize public safety and the well-being of Hoosiers—especially those under the age of 18—and maintain the state's prohibitions on marijuana use," Banks wrote, first reported by Daily Wire. "Marijuana is not a harmless drug."
Banks also cited cannabis use disorder, impaired driving, criminal activity, and cartel empowerment as concerns, writing: "Even a single use affects a person's brain and ability to make decisions. The risks are elevated in children, whose brains are not fully developed. Making marijuana legal does not make it safe, and it does not reduce usage."
U.S. Acting Attorney General Blanche signed an order last month immediately moving state-licensed medical cannabis and any FDA-approved marijuana products to Schedule III. Braun said the move makes state reform more likely and has directed state officials to hold a series of meetings with medical marijuana advocates.
Braun has described himself as personally "agnostic" on legalization but notes Indiana is "surrounded now by four states"—Kentucky (medical), plus Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio (recreational). He estimated "over half of Hoosiers probably smoke it illegally" and compared cannabis reform to gambling, noting Indiana was late to adopt it but now ranks in the top three states nationally in gambling revenue per capita.
Still, GOP legislative leaders are "not interested in doing anything soon," and lawmakers have already signaled legalization won't advance in the 2026 session. A hemp THC ban also failed last month. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R) said in late 2024: "It's no secret that I am not for this... any state that I've seen pass medical marijuana is essentially passing recreational marijuana." House Speaker Todd Huston (R) called marijuana "a deterrent to mental health."
The annual Hoosier Survey from the Bowen Center at Ball State University (BSU), released in January, found 59 percent of Indiana residents support legalizing cannabis for both medical and recreational use, with an additional 25 percent backing medical-only access—84 percent total in favor of medical marijuana.
