INDIANAPOLIS -- A Republican-led coalition introduced a bill that would allow Hoosiers over the age of 21 to legally use marijuana. House Bill 1630, which was introduced by State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo), faces an uphill climb in both the Indiana House and Senate. ”It’s time for Indiana to join our neighbors and most of the rest of the country in legalizing marijuana,” State Rep. VanNatter said. If the bill passes this session, Indiana would become the first state in the country to bypass a medical marijuana program and go straight to a regulated, adult-use cannabis market. ”This unique approach of moving directly to a regulated, adult-use market allows us to engage law enforcement early in the policy-making process to address issues comprehensibly, pragmatically, rather than piecemeal,” State Rep. VanNatter said. ”I think if we had an up or down vote today in the House, I think it makes it through,” State Rep. Jake Teshka (R-South Bend) said. Teshka said he and several of his colleagues will continue conversations with Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, who has repeatedly expressed disinterest in supporting such a bill. ”Just because something is hard has never deterred us, right? So, Hoosiers are reaching out; they’re asking for this,” Teshka said. But even if the bill passes out of the House, it would likely face an even tougher battle in the Senate. ”I don’t think we should take this step,” State Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) said. State Sen. Brown said she’s open to decriminalizing minor offenses pertaining to marijuana use, but argued that VanNatter’s bill is a step too far for now. ”If the FDA comes up with a formula that’s safe that we can all certify, then that’s a different issue, but they haven’t done that yet, and we haven’t seen it,” Brown said. ”When it comes to recreational, I’ve been clear that that has a need for further discussion,” Gov. Mike Braun said when asked about signing such a bill into law. It’s unclear if or when the bill will receive a first hearing.