(INDIANAPOLIS) - A bill changing how Indiana regulates hemp and THC products has passed the Indiana Senate and now heads to the House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 250 would align Indiana's definition of hemp with federal law while placing new restrictions on who can buy hemp-based THC products. The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports the measure passed the Senate Wednesday on a 35-13 vote.
Under the bill, anyone under 21 would be barred from entering businesses that primarily sell tobacco or THC products. Retailers would be required to check IDs, and sales of high-THC hemp products would be banned statewide.
Supporters say the bill closes what they call a loophole created by federal farm laws, which allowed products like Delta-8 to become widely available.
"THC products have become too easy for young Hoosiers to obtain," said Sen. Aaron Freeman, one of the bill's authors. "This legislation is about protecting those under 21."
The bill also changes how Indiana would respond if the federal government reclassifies marijuana. Instead of automatically following federal scheduling changes, the Indiana General Assembly would decide whether to adopt them.
Senate Bill 250 now moves to the Indiana House, where lawmakers will take up the measure in the coming weeks.