Senate Commerce and Technology Committee advances SB 250 to Appropriations after hours of debate on hemp-derived THC products

Senate Bill 250, a proposal to change Indiana's legal definition of hemp and restrict sales of THC-containing hemp products, cleared the Senate Commerce and Technology Committee on a 7-2 vote Tuesday and was recommitted to the Appropriations Committee.

Senator Freeman, who sponsored the bill, told the committee SB 250 "updates our definition of hemp and closes the farm bill loophole," sets a minimum purchasing age of 21 for products that contain THC, creates a new licensing scheme under the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, and prevents Indiana from automatically following any future federal marijuana reclassification. "At the end of the day, it does 4 things," Freeman said, urging colleagues to support a measure he described as the most practicable fix.

Supporters said the bill responds to the uncontrolled proliferation of high-potency hemp-derived cannabinoids such as delta-8 and delta-10. Chris Daniels of the Indiana…