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Although Indiana remains a state that does not legalize the use of marijuana, several surrounding states have changed and adjusted their laws around usage both medicinally and recreationally.
Now Indiana lawmakers are looking to update the laws surrounding the packaging and branding of legal THC products for buyers 21 and older.
Senate Bill 478 would establish regulatory testing and certain packaging requirements for the distribution and sale of craft hemp flower products and THC products. Among other provisions, it aims to keep packaging from resembling common products such as candy that could target minors. The bill was authored by Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, and Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown.
“A lot of folks don’t realize how really unregulated this market is, from advertising to packaging to just the age at which you can purchase, and so you’re doing the right thing and you’ve got our support,” said Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, at the conference committee for SB 478 on Monday.
The sale of marijuana is not currently legal in the state of Indiana, but is legal in the states that surround it. Marijuana is not federally legal in the United States as the federal government has left it up to the states to decide. Currently, 39 states have legalized marijuana for medical use and 24 have legalized marijuana for recreational use.
“This market right now is the wild, wild West, and so I think what this bill attempts to do is to ensure that the safety of Hoosier youth and Hoosier consumers comes first and primary in our efforts to regulate this product,” said Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty, who is a sponsor for SB 478.
While the sale of cannabis and marijuana is illegal in Indiana, certain products with THC, such as Delta-8, Delta-9 and Delta-10, are legal and can be sold at vape shops and other retailers for those 21 and older. The difference between Delta-8, Delta-9, Delta-10 and regular marijuana is that Delta has a THC level of under 0.3% to stay federally legal and is a chemical as opposed to cannabis, which is a plant. Craft hemp flower products are made of cannabis plant or “weed,” which is a much stronger substance than controlled Delta strains that contain less THC.
For Hoosiers who use legal THC in Indiana, products such as candy, oils and vape cartridges can usually be found in smoke shops, local dispensaries and even gas stations.
“I think that regulation is key. Fourteen-year olds, 15-year-olds, 16-years-olds, they should not be able to go anywhere down the street or at a convenience market and pick up these kinds of products, products that can hamper their health, but properly regulated and done correctly,” Sen. David Neizgodski, D- South Bend, said.
While SB 442 saw 17 attempted amendments, only two passed. Amendments 11 and nine were passed in the House on April 14 and include barring sales of craft flower hemp near schools, modifying the definition of an “e-liquid” and allowing 20,000 permits for legal THC retailers.
“Of course, in the future, if there are any additional comments needed, we could always come back and increase that number of permits, but the 20,000 is essentially more than 200 locations per county in our state on average and I think is far too accessible and available, and so I’d like to see numbers as well in the legislation,” said Rep. Timothy Wesco, R-Osceola.
Committee members decided to recess so they could reconvene to discuss the bill later.
”}]] Although Indiana remains a state that does not legalize the use of marijuana, several surrounding states have changed and adjusted their laws around usage both medicinally and recreationally. Read More
