he Senate Appropriations Committee heard SB 250 on regulation of hemp authored by Sen. Freeman and Sen. Carrasco for amend and vote. The bill in relevant part:
- Defines “THC” for purposes of Indiana alcohol and tobacco law.
- Expands certain crimes concerning alcohol and tobacco, including crimes regarding possession by minors and sales to minors, to include products containing THC.
- Imposes criminal penalties for violations of the hemp derived cannabinoid products law, and provides that a violation of the hemp derived cannabinoid products law is a deceptive act for purposes of Indiana law regarding deceptive consumer sales.
- Provides that for purposes of Indiana motor vehicle law: (1) “intoxicated” includes being under the influence of tetrahydrocannabinol; and (2) “schedule I drug” includes marijuana, hemp, and tetrahydrocannabinol.
- Adds federal definitions of certain hemp terms to the Indiana criminal code. Modifies definitions of “marijuana” and “smokable hemp” for purposes of the Indiana criminal code. Removes conflicting code provisions.
- Provides that nothing in Indiana: (1) alcohol and tobacco law; or (2) agriculture law; may be construed under the “inclusio unius, exclusio alterius” canon of construction as legalizing marijuana.
An amendment was introduced adding technical corrections to mirror the federal law and specifies that the disposition of fee or fine revenue under the hemp derived cannabinoid products law control over general provisions specifying the disposition of fee and fine revenue under Title 7.1. It specifies that an applicant for a permit under the hemp derived cannabinoid products law consents to entrance, inspection, and search and seizure by a law enforcement officer (rather than by an “enforcement officer” under the current version of the bill). The amendment was adopted by an 8-4 roll call vote. The amended bill passed 7-4.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/250