Indiana State Police Superintendent Paul Whitesell

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana should legalize and tax marijuana. That’s the belief voiced by the head of the Indiana State Police.

“If it were up to me, I do believe I would legalize it and tax it,” ISP Superintendent Paul Whitesell told the State Budget Committee Tuesday, according to The Indianapolis Star. Whitesell had been asked by a committee member about previous proposals by state lawmakers to decriminalize or alter the punishment for possessing small amounts of marijuana.

The state police later issued a statement saying that Whitesell’s comment was a philosophical opinion, not an official one.

“Although the superintendent personally understands the theoretical argument for taxation and legalization, as a police officer with over 40 years of experience he does not support the legalization of marijuana,” the statement said.

It is unclear what sort of fallout Tuesday’s comments have or will cause for Whitesell, who is serving his eighth year as the ISP superintendent.