INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – A surprising response came from Governor Holcomb Wednesday when asked if he's ever smoked marijuana.
Holcomb has held a strong stance against the legalization of marijuana in Indiana, and a reporter decided to press the governor a little more on the issue.
"With over half of the nation with their own marijuana programs and three of four border states with their own medical marijuana programs and none of them have rescinded their programs so far, why are Hoosiers having to wait? You say we stand out nationally. Why are we standing out on this issue?" the reporter asked.
"Because were following the law and I'm proud of that fact. And we operate here being well informed. That's why while I maybe haven't answered your questions to the fullest extent as you would have wished. It's because I've asked you patience for me to dig in deeper into the bill," Holcomb said in reponse. "This would require medical research and science to give us the true evidence on both the medicinal value and efficacy of recreational use. That's not here yet."
Then the conversation shifted a little.
Reporter: Have you ever used marijuana?
Holcomb: Yes.
Reporter: Even though it's illegal?
Holcomb: Yes.
Reporter: Why'd you use it?
Holcomb: College.
Although Holcomb signed a bill back in March 2018 legalizing the sale and use of cannabidiol, he says marijuana, unlike CBD, is considered a gateway drug that could lead casual users to more dangerous narcotics.