INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is reportedly addressing legalizing cannabis in Indiana for medical use. It’s a topic he’s spoken about before.

“Apparently he’s giving this issue some thought and consideration and I’m all on board with that,” said Republican State Rep. Jim Lucas, reacting Monday to the governor’s reported recent comments surrounding legalizing marijuana in Indiana.

Lucas has been a long time supporter and sponsor of legislation to try make cannabis legal in the Hoosier State.

“We can regulate it. It’s not being regulated right now,” said Lucas.

Braun weighed in on the issue at a recent event. According to State Affairs, the governor said when it comes to legalizing medical cannabis in Indiana, he was “kind of agnostic on that issue.”  

Braun reportedly went on to say, “But when you’ve got four states surrounding you, you’re probably going to have to address it.”

That’s not unlike what he told 13News two years ago when he was ran for office.

“We need to address it in some fashion because it’s now surrounding us,” he said in an interview during his campaign to be governor.

When it comes to how Hoosiers feel about the issue, a survey from Ball State University found that over 62% of those surveyed supported legalizing marijuana for both recreational and medicinal uses, with even more in favor of making medical cannabis legal.

“Most people would agree, especially in Indiana that we should have access to cannabis,” said Lucy Luman with Indiana NORML, an advocacy group that supports legalizing cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes.

Indiana NORML, along with veterans groups have lobbied to legalize cannabis and have proposed an independent commission to oversee regulations.

Voices that have opposed such a move have expressed concerns about public safety risks, like impaired driving and youth access.

The Indiana Chamber issued this statement on its policy surrounding the issue.

“The Indiana Chamber opposes the legalization of marijuana in any form for recreational use. The Chamber opposes the legalization of botanical marijuana for medical or therapeutic use, until a time when its efficacy and safety have been proven consistent through clinical trials. The Chamber supports the use of isolated components of marijuana, cannabinoids or similar extracts for solely medicinal purposes if approved by the FDA for specific illnesses and diseases.”

In the past, Gov. Braun has said any discussion on the issue will include law enforcement.

Lucas is hopeful that discussion can start in the next legislative session.

“My hope going into this session is now that Gov. Braun has brought this issue out in the open, that we can have a discussion about it out in the open,” said Lucas.