Indiana Governor Says Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Could Speed Up Statewide Legalization

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Speaking at an August 12 news conference, Braun said President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III “probably adds a little more fuel to the fire in terms of the speed with which it might occur.” Schedule III substances, such as codeine and anabolic steroids, are available by prescription once they receive FDA approval, unlike Schedule I drugs, which are considered to have no accepted medical use. Braun has long said his position will be guided by law enforcement input, but he acknowledged momentum for legalization has grown in recent years, including among some Republicans in the state. Last session, several GOP lawmakers introduced bills to decriminalize or legalize marijuana.

Indiana is surrounded by states that have legalized some form of marijuana, and polling has shown increasing public support for change. However, key legislative leaders remain opposed to full legalization. Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray has voiced safety concerns but said he’s open to discussing decriminalization of small amounts. House Speaker Todd Huston has argued that potential tax revenue is not a sufficient reason to enact such a significant policy shift.

The push for rescheduling began in 2023 when the Department of Health and Human Services recommended the change to the Drug Enforcement Administration, which formally proposed it in 2024. The proposal has been stalled until now, but Trump said on August 11 that a decision could come within “the next few weeks.”