Cannabis News
Indiana Governor Blames GOP Leaders For Marijuana Legalization Inaction While ‘Half Of Hoosiers Probably Smoke It Illegally’
Indiana’s Republican governor says he will “rise to the crescendo” in the call to legalize marijuana, citing regional dynamics and even more, law enforcement reform. But for now, he says the GOP’s legislative leadership is “not interested in doing anything anytime soon,” even though “half of Hoosiers probably smoke illegally.”
Gov. Mike Braun (R) gave his perspective on the issue of cannabis policy in an interview with WOWO’s Fort Wayne’s Morning News, saying that lawmakers should give it “an extra look” and that, while he is personally “agnostic” when it comes to legalization, the reality is that Indiana is “now surrounded by four states” that allow medical or adult use.
“Probably half of Hoosiers smoke illegally,” he said, noting that suburban Kentucky allows patients to access medical cannabis, while Illinois, Michigan and Ohio have recreational marijuana laws.
“I’m going to listen to law enforcement. They’ve even changed their minds about legalizing and regulating,” Braun said, adding that he compared cannabis to gambling. The state was late to pass laws allowing adults to gamble, he said, but now ranks among the top three states nationally in terms of per capita revenue from vice.
“Some people won’t want to, just on principle. A lot of police and sheriffs in our state are willing to cross the border (to buy cannabis). It’s going to be a growing problem, so far, the way our state legislature has opposed it,” he said. “I’ve been more agnostic about it. I can see the points of view, and I’ve seen law enforcement move somewhat.”
“So that will give you the best description of where the dynamic is in our state,” Gov say WOW “I think the leader of the Senate and the Speaker of the House in particular are cool — and they control the legislative agenda — they’re not interested in doing anything anytime soon. But I think the crescendo will rise, and that pretty much describes where we are.”
Braun also addressed the issue in another recent interview, saying the state will “probably have to address” the issue and pairing cannabis reform with sports betting.
State legislators already He stated that there is no legalization of marijuana in the 2026 sessionit means another year where Indiana will be left out as one of the few states without effective medical or adult-use cannabis laws.
The governor said that individually He “fits in” with the idea of legalizing medical cannabis in the state. Instead, Indiana lawmakers this session have focused on efforts to ban THC hemp products, though The battle for 2026 appears to be over after a last-minute push failed late last month.
Braun also touted President Donald Trump’s move to federally deregulate marijuana He could add “some fire” to the local push to legalize cannabis in his state. A month later, Trump signed an executive order directing the attorney general to move cannabis from Schedule I to III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), but that has yet to happen.
Among Indiana residents, however, a survey released in January found just that nearly three in five supported the legalization of medical and recreational cannabis.
Specifically, Ball State University’s (BSU) Bowen Center’s annual Hoosier Poll found that 59 percent of residents support the legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. An additional 25 percent came back allowing patients to access medical marijuana, bringing total support for that reform to 84 percent.
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Braun, for his part, He previously said it is “probably time” to introduce therapeutic cannabis among state patients. The comments came alongside a separate poll showing that nearly 9 in 10 Indiana adults (87 percent) support the legalization of marijuana.
The main Republicans in the Legislature, however, They have openly opposed marijuana reform.
“It’s no secret that I’m not,” Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R) said at the end of 2024. “I don’t have people coming to me with really compelling medical cases to find out why it’s so beneficial. And any situation I’ve seen, it’s passing medical marijuana, it’s basically passing recreational marijuana.”
House Speaker Todd Huston (R) questioned any medical benefits associated with marijuana, calling the substance a “mental health deterrent.” He and others suggested that lawmakers in favor of reform simply want to increase state revenue.
Some Marijuana reform bills have been introduced for the 2025 session of the Indiana legislatureincluding by Reps. Jim Lucas (R) and Shane Lindauer (R), which would legalize medical marijuana for people with “severe medical conditions determined by a physician.”
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Cannabis News
Columbia hemp business Burning Acre to close and move to North Carolina over new Tennessee rules
Burning Acre, a Columbia, Tennessee-based hemp company, says it will close its retail store and move operations to North Carolina ahead of new state regulations that take effect July 1, according to WSMV.
The business says its last day to open in Columbia will be June 30, the same day the Tennessee Department of Agriculture licenses for hemp-derived cannabinoids expire. As of July 1, businesses that continue to operate in the state will be required to be licensed under a new regulatory framework led by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Burning Acre says the changes have forced it to abandon plans for a new sandwich shop and bakery and close its Tennessee retail operations and relocate to Murphy, North Carolina. “I won’t sugarcoat it, it’s a very hard video for me and a message I should never have written,” the business wrote.
The business puts the annual cost of manufacturing, distribution and running the retail store at about $750. Under the new rules, he says, those costs would rise by tens of thousands of dollars, citing new licensing fees, a required $25,000 annual bond and increased testing fees.
The law, which took effect in July, changes the regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid businesses from the Department of Agriculture to the ABC. The Department of Agriculture stopped issuing licenses at the end of 2025, and the licenses issued by the TDA will remain valid until June 30, 2026.
“Columbia, we absolutely love being a part of this community,” said Burning Acre. “We are truly heartbroken to have to say goodbye to this location.”
Read more at WSMV4
Cannabis News
North Carolina Lawmakers Advance Bill To Set A Minimum Age Limit For Hemp And Kratom Products
Well, it’s not 2026 photos, but with around 600 photos, we definitely did our best. For the past two days, the Netherlands has been the place to be for the global greenhouse industry. From Flower Trials for the horticulture sector, company visits to growers and technical suppliers, as well as dinners, get-togethers, drinks, knowledge sessions and much more. And of course with GreenTech Amsterdam.
The event brought together professionals from around the world to connect, network, share knowledge and do business.
Next week, we’ll be sharing more information on market developments, trends, what’s on display, news, business news, innovations and whatever else you can think of, but for now we’ll stick to photo reporting.
Click here for the photo report.
© Arlette Sijmonsma | MMJDaily.com
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