Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has signaled a growing willingness to legalize marijuana, noting the Hoosier State is “surrounded” by states that have legalized the drug to some degree.

Illinois, Michigan and Ohio allow recreational use, while Kentucky has authorized medicinal.

“I’m going to do what makes sense,” Braun told reporters Tuesday. “I’ve said law enforcement will be important. I’ve been talking to them, and now, the amount of traffic that crosses the border, you know, it’s noticeable. So, all of that will be taken into consideration.”

[caption id="attachment_130576" align="alignright" width="204"] Mike Braun[/caption]

President Donald Trump’s administration this week rescheduled medical marijuana — subject to a state license — to a less restrictive category, but kept recreational use in the list of drugs with the highest potential for abuse. But the administration has also kicked off an expedited administrative hearing process to consider reconsider that classification.

“I think the fact that the feds made that move, that makes it more likely,” Braun said.

“You’re going to need to ask the legislators and the leaders in those two chambers to see what they’re thinking, because I’m clear in terms of where I’m at,” he continued. “You’ve got to take what’s evolved over time. (If you) stick your head in the sand, you’re generally going to make the wrong decision.”

As a gubernatorial candidate in 2024, Braun said he was possibly willing to consider allowing medical-use sales, but not recreational, Fox59 reported.

The governor’s comments on Tuesday came shortly before the release of a study on the current status of marijuana and other intoxicating cannabinoids in Indiana, and another study on considerations for marijuana regulations if the state decided to ease up on the drug.

The pair of reports were conducted by RAND on behalf of the Richard Fairbanks Foundation, which seeks to advance health, education and more in the city of Indianapolis.

Emi Whitesell, the vice president of impact and evaluation, said Fairbanks commissioned the research in 2024 to fill a gap in reliable data centered on Indiana.

“We don’t have a position,” Whitesell said of marijuana legalization. “This is purely informative. We know there have been so many conversations … about potentially changing our marijuana policies. … It’s so complex and it’s sometimes hard to get really good data and really good information about it.”

Much of the research on legalization focuses on states that already have already authorized the drug for medicinal use, unlike Indiana, the foundation found.

The Hoosier State is one of 10 states that haven’t legalized medical marijuana, let alone recreational.

Despite that, residents can access intoxicating cannabinoids and marijuana itelf relatively easily, according to Fairbanks.

That’s because Indiana hasn’t banned or regulated the sale of products with delta-8 THC, THCA or other intoxicating cannabinoids. State legislative efforts have failed repeatedly. Now, such products are “ubiquitous,” researchers wrote. A federal ban will go into effect in November, although several bills have been filed to delay that.

Additionally, researchers found that 44% of Hoosiers, or nearly 3 million people, live within a 50-mile drive of at least one licensed dispensary in another state. A whopping 96%, or 5.6 million people, live within a 100-mile drive.

“In practical terms, almost all Hoosiers who wish to purchase cannabis from a retail store can do so with a round-trip drive of fewer than four hours,” they wrote.

Researchers estimated that residents spend about $1.8 billion on marijuana annually, and that Indiana’s criminal justice system spends $10 million-$20 million on enforcement annually.

They also explored a range of policy routes Indiana could pursue.

The first, in which the state maintains its prohibition, involves no change.

The state could also reduce criminal penalties for marijuana possession by directing law enforcement to treat it as low priority, reduce fines or jail time, or eliminate criminal penalties for small amounts in favor of civil citations. The state could make it easier to expunge or seal past convictions for possession, or even automatically perform those actions for convictions after a set period.

Indiana could also join the 24 states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. Researchers laid out 14 major policy decisions leaders would have to make, including: who could grow, refine and sell marijuana; at what level to tax marijuana and more.

All of those policy levels would figure into a medical marijuana system, according to Fairbanks, along with four more considerations: what conditions qualify for use, what medical professionals could recommend someone obtain a license, the cost of a license and who could procure the marijuana for patients who can’t travel to buy it or grow it at home themselves.

The state and local governments would still spend money on enforcement even if marijuana is legalized in some form, researchers noted. Driving under the influence and possessing the drug underage would likely remain banned, for instance. New costs could include licensing, inspections, testing and more.

But legalization could bring in $180 million in tax revenue annually by the fifth year, researchers estimated — or 1% of the state’s $18 billion General Fund. Revenue depends on a variety of factors, however, and could range from $100 million at the low end to $270 million at the high end.

Reporter Mackenzi Klemann contributed.

[caption id="attachment_130578" align="aligncenter" width="749"] The map, courtesy of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, shows the large number of dispensaries located just outside of the Indiana state line.[/caption]

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The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

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WARSAW — A Warsaw man was arrested after allegedly having sex with a mentally and physically disabled person.

Everett J. Compton, 57, of 1912 La Vista Drive, Warsaw, is charged with four counts of rape, level 3 felonies, and one charge of sexual battery, a level 6 felony.

He was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 5:14 p.m. Saturday on a $10,000 preliminary bond.

According to the probable cause affidavit, on Friday, the Warsaw Police Department received a report from Adult Protective Services requesting a welfare check on a physically and mentally disabled adult. The person alleged they were inappropriately touched.

A WPD officer spoke with the victim. The victim said Compton had inappropriately touched them at a campground in the county. The victim said prior to coming in for the interview, Compton told the victim he may not be their friend anymore if they told anyone about what happened.

The victim said Compton had sexual intercourse with them and the victim felt like they had to agree to the sexual activity.

On Saturday, a WPD detective spoke with Compton. He said he wasn’t forceful with the victim, and they were very needy and had trouble with men. He recalled one incident where he alleged the victim was “gleaming” at him.

Officers also interviewed another individual, who said she didn’t believe the victim could consent to sexual activity due to a lack of understanding.

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WARSAW — One of the 21 vote centers in Kosciusko County will not be open during the May 5 primary.

The Kosciusko County Election Board announced on Tuesday that the Amazing Grace Community Church Vote Center on Arthur Street in Sydney will be unavailable because of a water leak.

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SOUTH BEND — A South Bend developer who walked away from a high-profile economic development project in Warsaw several years ago is facing more problems.

Earlier this year, Dave Matthews filed for bankruptcy involving one of his South Bend housing projects.

On Tuesday, WNDU reported Matthews may soon be forced to demolish one of his unfinished properties in South Bend.

The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the city of South Bend's 2024 demolition order for an unfinished concrete and steel frame near LaSalle Avenue. 

Matthews was the developer of Warsaw's Buffalo Street redevelopment project, which was slated to begin in 2017.

Several condominiums in the project were constructed, but much of the work was never finished, and Matthews eventually walked away without notifying the city.

The city's code enforcement officials eventually had to force him to remove construction materials he had left behind.

The city is still trying to determine how to use a large space near Center Lake, where the old parks office had been located, that was supposed to be part of a multi-use development led by Matthews.

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WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the public to a recent scam involving fraudulent requests for inmate bond payments.

At no time will an employee of the Sheriff’s Office contact individuals by phone to request money for bonding an inmate out of the Kosciusko County Jail.

All bond payments must be completed in person using the kiosk located in the vestibule of the Sheriff’s Office at 221 W. Main St., Warsaw.

No cash transactions or phone-based payments will be accepted by correctional staff under any circumstances.

If you receive a phone call requesting payment for an inmate bond, please hang up immediately and contact dispatch at 574-267-5667.

Residents are reminded to never provide any personal, financial, or banking information over the phone.

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Staff Report

AKRON — Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation will host its first-ever Corporation Art Show, showcasing student artwork from all Tippecanoe Valley schools.

The event will take place on Wednesday, April 30, from 4 to 7 p.m., will be hosted by Tippecanoe Valley High School and will become an annual celebration of student creativity moving forward, according to a news release from the school district.

This year’s art show will feature artwork created by students from Mentone Elementary School, Akron Elementary School, Tippecanoe Valley Middle School and Tippecanoe Valley High School, offering families and community members an opportunity to experience the talents of students across all grade levels.

The inaugural event was made possible through a KEYS Grant award, which supported the development and launch of this corporation-wide arts initiative. The grant reflects Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation’s continued commitment to enriching educational experiences and expanding opportunities in the arts, the release states.

“Art plays a vital role in student expression, creativity, and learning,” said Ashlie Schlemmer, director of communications. “We are excited to bring our schools together for this special event and to celebrate the incredible work our students are doing every day.”

Families, friends and community members are invited to attend.

Light refreshments will be available during the event.

For more information, contact Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation.

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WARSAW — Bids are now being sought for repairs to the Justice Building following the collapse of limestone slabs above an entrance nearly eight months ago.

Structural supports have been in place along parts of two sides of the building since shortly after several slabs of limestone came crashing down on Aug. 29. Nobody was injured, but it led to an extensive look into other possible structural weaknesses in the Justice Building.

That damage on Aug. 29 led the county to conduct a complete review of the building, which led to the discovery of potential weaknesses in parts of the structure's oldest section on the north and east sides involving exterior walls.

Last week, the county commissioners announced plans to seek bids on a "comprehensive" project prepared by Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates of Indianapolis.

WJE is a group of engineers, architects, and materials scientists that specialize in structural repairs and has a portfolio of work that ranges from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City to the Third Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis that spans the Mississippi River, according to the firm’s website.

The bid package unveiled by the county is more than an inch thick with detailed plans for the improvements.

“It's not just the repair where the facade actually fell, but it's also reattaching other panels throughout the building with a new anchoring system to make sure that that wouldn't happen again, as well as all mortar joints being re-caulked and resealed, the whole cleaning of the exterior,” Groninger said during Tuesday’s meeting.

“It's a pretty comprehensive scope over the whole facade,” he added. 

The entire project, said commissioner Bob Conley, is being done “out of an abundance of caution.”

“It happened once, we don't want it to happen again,” Conley said.

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WARSAW — Downtown Warsaw will soon have another nearby coffee shop.

Three Crowns Coffee, which has been located on North Detroit Street for more than half a dozen years, plans to move into the former Refior Law Offices offices overlooking the southern shoreline of Center Lake.

The Times-Union reports the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance request Monday night to allow the business in a residential 3 zoning district.

Petitioner John Foster said the owners, who are family members, plan to move into the new space this summer and that it will offer a more scenic view,  safer traffic patterns, and less noise while also being close to the downtown, the adjacent Nye Park (and cabin) and Center Lake Park.

Under previous ownership, Three Crowns was located in downtown on South Buffalo Street before moving to North Detroit Street in what used to be a gas station.

The new location is about two blocks from the courthouse.

Check out the full story from the Times-Union's David Slone by clicking here.

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By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union

WARSAW — There were no injuries as a result of a house fire on Saturday afternoon.

Derek Tenney, fire chief for Plain Township Fire Department, said the fire department received the initial call about 3:28 p.m. Saturday to 267 E. Barrington Place, Warsaw.

When fire crews arrived on scene, the fire was in the garage and moving into the roof.

Tenney estimated there was damage to at least 50 percent of the residence.

Most of the fire crew left about 7:30 p.m. and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

According to county records, the property is owned by Chris and Jessica Powers.

Assisting agencies were WarsawWayne Fire Territory, Winona Lake Fire Department, Milford Fire Department, North Webster Fire Department and Atwood Fire Department.

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