Indiana lawmakers are considering medical marijuana. One legislator said he tried it.

Kaitlin Lange | IndyStar

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A legislative committee studied medical marijuana legalization Thursday but ultimately couldn’t come to a consensus on how to proceed.

Even a watered-down proposal to recommend further study wasn’t approved by enough committee members.

Still, for the first time, a legislative interim study committee had met to hear testimony and discuss the future of medical marijuana in Indiana — a momentous moment in a General Assembly that is usually reluctant to make any moves toward legalization.

Proponents of medical marijuana were optimistic after the Indiana House voted this past legislative session to at least examine the issue in an interim study committee.

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However, the lack of consensus on even the most basic recommendation illustrates just how far away Indiana is from legalizing the substance, despite public approval. In 2016, nearly three quarters of Hoosiers favored legalizing medical marijuana, according to a WTHR/HPI Indiana Poll.

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Lawmakers aren’t giving up.

“The genie is out of the bottle,” said Rep. Jim Lucas, a proponent of legalizing medical marijuana. “This conversation is going to continue moving forward. I‘m going to make it my mission.”

During testimony, Lucas said he tried as much marijuana as he could in Colorado to see whether it was dangerous. It was the “best night sleep I’ve ever had,” he said.

Lucas, a Republican, filed a bill last legislative session to legalize medical marijuana and plans to file one again this year.

Arguments for and against medical marijuana

Currently 31 other states have legalized medical marijuana.

Doctors, business advocates, lawmakers, a prosecutor, a representative from the attorney general's office and a medical cannabis company testified Thursday, arguing over whether the benefits of medical marijuana could outweigh the cons.

Proponents argued that medical marijuana has certain economic and health benefits, like easing chronic pain, while opponents worried about negative consequences on businesses and potential harmful impacts on the brain.

Some conservative lawmakers were concerned that even suggesting further study of medical marijuana would be a step toward making the substance legal.

“In my short tenure here, all we’re doing is setting up so we can sell pot,” said Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne.

Marijuana will continue to come up in legislation

Indiana legalized cannabidiol oil for use by all Hoosiers last legislative session, as long as it contains limited amounts of THC. While most lawmakers defended the move, saying it was in no way reflective of a desire to legalize marijuana, Brown voted against the legislation.

Regardless, lawmakers argue that Thursday's study committee was a step toward more discussion.

"This is not the last time that we will be studying the issue," said John Ruckelshaus, R-Indianapolis. "There will be plenty of legislators and representatives bringing forward legislation this year, I guarantee that."

Call IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange at 317-432-9270. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange.