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Jennifer McCormick, the Democratic candidate for governor of Indiana, wants to put the Hoosier State on the path to marijuana legalization if she is elected in November.
McCormick released a plan this week to legalize medical marijuana and lead Indiana to gradually legalize recreational weed. The plan also calls for the creation of a commission to oversee the state’s future cannabis industry, which her campaign says could potentially bring Indiana an additional $172 million in annual tax revenue.
But if elected later this year, McCormick would still have to work with the current two-thirds Republican majority in both chambers of the Statehouse to push through her policies.
The Democrat is running against Republican U.S. Senator Mike Braun and Libertarian Donald Rainwater in the November election. Braun has previously expressed interest in medical marijuana, while Rainwater has spoken out in favor of legalizing all forms of cannabis.
Here’s what you need to know about the marijuana stance in the gubernatorial race.
What is Democrat Jennifer McCormick’s plan regarding marijuana?
McCormick’s plan includes the creation of the Indiana Cannabis Commission – comprised of experts in marijuana cultivation, law, health care and economics – to oversee the state’s future industry, including safety, regulation and licensing efforts.
The plan aims to legalize medical marijuana in Indiana. Once the state’s medical marijuana industry is established, McCormick would follow with full recreational legalization for adult Indiana residents.
McCormick said the proposal also includes regulation of hemp-derived THC products to protect Indiana consumers.
In a press conference Thursday morning, McCormick said it’s time to do something about marijuana in Indiana, especially given the actions of surrounding states and the high level of interest from Indiana residents. Ball State’s 2023 Hoosier Poll shows that just over 54% of Indiana residents believe marijuana should be legal for personal use, and just over 32% support medical use.
Indiana’s Weed Challenge: Ohio voted to legalize recreational marijuana. Why Indiana probably won’t do the same
In 2023, Ohio voters approved the legalization of recreational marijuana, making Ohio the third state, along with Indiana, to legalize recreational marijuana. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed a bill last year to legalize medical cannabis in the state starting in 2025.
“We are on an island. All the states around us are legalizing marijuana in one way or another and have benefited in many ways,” McCormick said. “It’s time for Indiana to join that policy.”
What does Republican Mike Braun think about marijuana?
Republican candidate for governor, U.S. Senator Mike Braun, indicated in a debate earlier this year that he was open to discussing the legalization of medical marijuana, but not recreational use.
“I think medical marijuana is the area where you can best argue that maybe something needs to change, but I’ll take my cue from law enforcement,” he said at the debate. “I hear a lot of suggestions that are helpful, and I think you have to listen and see what makes sense.”
What are Libertarian candidate Donald Rainwater’s views on marijuana?
Rainwater said he supports the legalization of all forms of cannabis and that it should be regulated in the same way as tobacco and alcohol.
The libertarian had previously stated that Indiana’s marijuana ban contributes to violent crime and the incarceration of too many non-violent people.
“Too much taxpayer money is being spent on Indiana’s failed war on cannabis,” he said last year. “Whether you believe cannabis is helpful or harmful, I believe every citizen of Indiana should be afforded the same rights to make their own decisions about cannabis use as they do with alcohol and tobacco.”
What about the Indiana General Assembly?
Marijuana-related bills are a topic of discussion in the Indiana Statehouse every year, but bills proposed by Democrats and Republicans are always defeated during the legislative session. In 2023, a bill to decriminalize marijuana was heard in a legislative committee but stalled there.
The Republican supermajority and leadership in the Statehouse, which has the most power to change current laws, has repeatedly thwarted attempts to legalize marijuana. Indiana law does not allow citizen-initiated ballot initiatives like the one in Ohio on marijuana in 2023.
Governor Eric Holcomb has repeatedly stated that he would not support legalization as long as marijuana remains a Schedule I drug at the federal level. Ahead of the 2024 legislative session, Republican Senator Rodric Bray (Martinsville) and House Speaker Todd Huston (Fishers) have dashed any hope of progress on marijuana-related bills.
Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at [email protected] or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.
