Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jennifer McCormick wants to allow medical marijuana in Indiana before fully legalizing the drug for adult Hoosiers.

McCormick unveiled the latest update to her marijuana plan during a Thursday news conference.

If elected governor, McCormick envisions creating a state cannabis commission. She said the independent body would be responsible for overseeing Indiana’s cannabis industry — its regulations, licensing and safety standards. The commission would consist of experts in various fields related to cannabis, she said. But McCormick did not name who would sit on the commission.

She also wants to establish a regulated medical marijuana industry immediately. Later, Indiana could transition to allowing adults to use marijuana legally, she said. Under her plan, the commission, after learning about other states’ rollouts, would decide when Indiana would allow cannabis legalization for adults, and the commission would determine licensing requirements.

In addition, McCormick said that to ensure Hoosiers’ safety the state needs to regulate hemp-derived THC products commonly sold at gas stations and smoke shops.

Ultimately, the state could generate about $172 million annually in tax revenues if it legalized marijuana, McCormick said, citing an estimate from the Tax Foundation, an international think tank. The additional revenue could help offset the cost of some state expenditures, including possible property tax relief, McCormick said. And while she did not commit to earmarking the expected revenues for a specific purpose, McCormick said she would like to see the funds flow to the local level.

“Right now, that revenue is flowing outside of Indiana,” McCormick said.

Indiana is one of 12 states that have not legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use. Neighboring Illinois, Michigan and Ohio have legalized recreational and medical marijuana use. Kentucky allows only medicinal use of the drug.

“We’re on an island. All the states around us are at some level legalizing marijuana and have benefited in several ways,” McCormick said. “It is time for Indiana to join in.”

Polls show a majority of Hoosiers favor marijuana legalization. According to the Bowen Center for Public Affairs at Ball State University’s annual Hoosier Survey, just 10% of respondents believed cannabis should remain illegal. 

Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Eric Holcomb have been united in opposing any marijuana legalization in Indiana, arguing the federal government must act first. In June, Holcomb said his stance on marijuana had not changed ahead of the drug’s possible reclassification.

At least a dozen cannabis- and hemp-related bills were proposed during the 2024 legislative session. None became law.

McCormick hoped her proposed cannabis commission would detail a plan legislators could support. She said the Indiana General Assembly, and its Republican supermajorities in both chambers, would need “the willingness to move it forward.”

In the lead-up to this year’s primary elections, U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, said he might support medical marijuana use.

“I’m gonna listen to law enforcement — they have to put up with the brunt of it,” Braun said. “Medical marijuana is where I think the case is best made that maybe something needs to change. But I’ll take my cue from law enforcement there as well. … I hear a lot of input where [medical marijuana is] helpful, and I think that you need to listen and see what makes sense.”

Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Donald Rainwater, in a written statement to State Affairs, said he believes the decriminalization and legalization of all forms of cannabis is “a necessary step in acknowledging that government should not have the authority to criminalize the possession and use of cannabis.”

McCormick has also released plans to raise minimum teacher salaries, improve sexual harassment reporting in Indiana government and provide property tax relief for Hoosiers.

Contact Jarred Meeks on X @jarredsmeeks or email him at [email protected].