We are now in our first week of the second half of session and coming down to crunch time for HB 1043 and SB 209.

HB 1043 stabilizes the hemp industry in Indiana by legalizing craft hemp flower, providing certainty to small businesses by clarifying that low THC hemp extract and craft hemp flower are not considered adulterants as it relates to our food safety laws and codifies testing and labeling requirements. Contact members serving on the Senate Committee on Commerce and Technology today and ask they support Indiana small businesses and consumer safety by voting “yes” on HB 1043. Under current Indiana law, craft hemp flower is free to move in continuous transit through the state so long as a Hoosier farmer didn’t grow it, a Hoosier small business didn’t sell it and a Hoosier consumer didn’t possess it. As a result, untested craft hemp flower products are being sold all around the state with zero enforcement actions from law enforcement. This means that those willing to break the law are taking market share with no consequences from those that are unwilling to break the law. 

SB 209 is a disaster bill for the hemp industry and Indiana small businesses, which would set a horrible precedent for states around the country. As you know, an amendment was added to SB 209 that narrows the definition of a low THC hemp extract. This was done with zero opportunity for public or industry testimony. Contact legislators serving on the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code and ask that they remove the offensive language that negatively impacts farmers, businesses and consumers in Indiana. Indiana needs to continue moving forward on cannabis policies, not backwards.