Midwest Hemp Council Legislative Update: House Committee Hears Unified Opposition to SB 250
On Wednesday morning, Hoosier farmers, processors, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers appeared before the Indiana House Committee on Courts and Criminal Law to testify in opposition to SB 250.
SB 250 seeks to codify flawed federal language that would effectively recriminalize the act of processing hemp into oil and eliminate approximately 99% of hemp products currently available in Indiana’s regulated marketplace. This language is so poorly written that it recriminalizes even popular CBD products. As drafted, the bill would dismantle the existing hemp supply chain in Indiana and disrupt lawful businesses operating in good faith under current state and federal law.
Although committee testimony was cut short due to time constraints, the committee heard consistent and unified testimony from industry stakeholders that Indiana needs thoughtful, enforceable regulations that balance consumer safety with continued market access. This approach prioritizes public safety while preserving a lawful and transparent marketplace.
During the hearing, Representative Bartels offered an amendment to strike the bill’s current language and replace it with the Midwest Hemp Council’s Four Pillar Regulatory Structure. This framework includes (1) Uniform packaging standards; (2) Clear labeling requirements; (3) Robust product testing protocols; and (4) Restricting the sale and possession of hemp products to adults 21 and older.
Representative Bascom offered an alternative amendment that would still eliminate Indiana’s retail hemp market but allow manufacturers to continue producing products for shipment out of state. While this proposal acknowledges the importance of Indiana’s manufacturing base, it would nonetheless destroy a homegrown marketplace that has an almost $2B economic impact on the state.
The committee did not take action on either of the amendments and did not vote the bill out of committee. Chairwoman McNamara indicated she was holding the bill to further consider the amendments. As of now, we anticipate SB 250 being scheduled for an amend and vote on Wednesday.
The committee must hear from the industry today and leading up to Wednesday that you support Representative Bartels’ amendment and oppose SB 250 as currently written and Representative Bascom’s amendment. Representative Bartel’s amendment is the most effective way to:
Protect Hoosier youth from bad actors
Provide clarity and enforceability for law enforcement
Preserve consumer access to products that improve quality of life
Support Indiana agriculture and small business investment.
Below are the email addresses for the committee members. Contact them today and leading up to Wednesday’s hearing.
We remain committed to working with lawmakers to implement responsible guardrails that protect public health without destroying a lawful industry.