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SB250 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure and to make an appropriation.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure and to make an appropriation.

Budget Children
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Senator Aaron Freeman
Last action
2026-02-23
Official status
Senate Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary text is quite detailed, but it doesn't provide specific penalties or enforcement details beyond what is mentioned in the candidate explanation.

Regulation of Hemp Products

This bill amends Indiana's laws to regulate the production, sale, and use of hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing THC, including penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

  • Defines 'THC' in alcohol and tobacco laws and expands crimes related to these substances to include products with THC.
  • Requires the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to inspect locations selling THC products and allows police to involve minors aged 16 or older in buying THC products for law enforcement purposes.
  • Establishes rules for making, distributing, selling, and transporting hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including licensing requirements and restrictions on online sales.
  • Sets packaging and labeling standards for these products and requires testing to ensure compliance with regulations.
  • Creates penalties for breaking the new laws regarding hemp-derived cannabinoid products and treats certain violations as deceptive acts under consumer protection laws.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who make, distribute, sell, or buy hemp-derived cannabinoid products in Indiana.
  • Law enforcement officers involved in enforcing these regulations.
  • Retail establishments that sell tobacco and THC-containing products.

Terms To Know

THC
A chemical found in marijuana that can cause changes in mood, perception, and behavior.
Hemp-derived cannabinoid products
Products made from hemp plants containing THC or other cannabinoids.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how the new regulations will be enforced beyond what is currently known.
  • It's unclear how this legislation will impact existing businesses selling tobacco and THC products.
  • There are no details on how much funding will be allocated to enforce these new laws.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SB0250.01.INTR.AMS01

Committee Introduced Senate Bill (S) • Senator Aaron Freeman

Filed

Plain English: The amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding criminal law and procedure, specifically concerning hemp.

  • Modifies the Indiana Code to adjust laws related to hemp under criminal law and procedure.
  • The official text does not provide specific details about how the laws will be adjusted for hemp.
SB0250.03.COMS.AMH05

Committee Senate Bill (H) • Representative Garrett Bascom

Filed

Plain English: The amendment allows the seed commissioner to issue permits for certain activities related to seeds.

  • Adds a new section that gives the seed commissioner authority to issue permits.
  • The specific types of activities and requirements for obtaining these permits are not detailed in the provided amendment text.
SB0250.02.COMS.AMS03

Committee Senate Bill (S) • Senator Aaron Freeman

Filed

Plain English: The amendment aims to add new regulations related to hemp under Indiana's criminal law and procedure.

  • Adds new rules for regulating hemp in the state of Indiana.
  • The specific details about how hemp will be regulated are not provided, making it unclear exactly what changes will be made.
SB0250.04.COMH.AMH001

Filed Senate Bill (H) • Representative Alex Zimmerman

Failed

Plain English: This amendment proposes to change the Indiana Code regarding criminal law and procedure, but does not provide specific details about what changes would be made.

  • The amendment aims to modify parts of the Indiana Code related to criminal law and procedures, though it doesn't specify exactly which sections or how they will be changed.
  • The official text provided is incomplete and does not give specific details about what changes would be made to the Indiana Code.
  • Without more information, it's unclear what concrete effects this amendment would have.
SB0250.04.COMH.AMH002

Filed Senate Bill (H) • Representative Steve Bartels

Failed

Plain English: This amendment proposes to change the Indiana Code regarding criminal law and procedure, but does not provide specific details about what changes would be made.

  • The amendment aims to modify parts of the Indiana Code related to criminal law and procedure, though it does not specify which sections or how they will be changed.
  • The official text provided is incomplete and does not give enough information to explain the specific changes proposed by this amendment.
SB0250.04.COMH.AMH003

Filed Senate Bill (H) • Representative Steve Bartels

Failed

Plain English: This amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding criminal law and procedure, but does not provide specific details on what changes it intends to make.

  • The amendment seeks to alter parts of the Indiana Code related to criminal law and procedure, though exact modifications are not specified in the provided text.
  • The official amendment text is incomplete and does not specify the concrete changes intended for the Indiana Code.
  • Without detailed information on what aspects of criminal law and procedure will be amended, it's impossible to provide a clear explanation of the amendment's effects.
SB0250.04.COMH.AMH004

Filed Senate Bill (H) • Representative Mitch Gore

Failed

Plain English: This amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding criminal law and procedure, but does not provide specific details about what changes it intends to make.

  • The amendment seeks to alter parts of the Indiana Code related to criminal law and procedure, though exact changes are not specified in the provided text.
  • The official amendment text is incomplete and does not specify the concrete changes intended for the Indiana Code.
  • Without detailed information, it's unclear what specific aspects of criminal law and procedure would be affected.
SB0250.04.COMH.AMH005

Filed Senate Bill (H) • Representative Mitch Gore

Failed

Plain English: This amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding criminal law and procedure, but does not provide specific details about what changes it intends to make.

  • The amendment seeks to alter parts of the Indiana Code related to criminal law and procedure, though exact changes are not specified in the provided text.
  • The official amendment text is incomplete and does not specify the concrete changes intended for the Indiana Code.
  • Without detailed information, it's unclear what specific aspects of criminal law and procedure would be affected.
SB0250.04.COMH.AMH006

Filed Senate Bill (H) • Representative Mitch Gore

Failed

Plain English: This amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding criminal law and procedure, but does not provide specific details about what changes it intends to make.

  • The exact nature of the change to the Indiana Code is unclear from the provided information.
  • The official text does not specify the particular section or content of the Indiana Code that would be amended, making it impossible to describe the concrete change this amendment would make.
SB0250.04.COMH.AMH007

Filed Senate Bill (H) • Representative Sue Errington

Failed

Plain English: This amendment proposes to change the Indiana Code regarding criminal law and procedure, but does not provide specific details about what changes would be made.

  • The amendment aims to modify parts of the Indiana Code related to criminal law and procedure, though it does not specify which sections or how they will be changed.
  • The official text provided is incomplete and does not give enough information to explain the specific changes proposed by this amendment.
SB0250.04.COMH.AMH008

Filed Senate Bill (H) • Representative Blake Johnson

Failed

Plain English: This amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding criminal law and procedure, but does not provide specific details on what changes it intends to make.

  • The amendment seeks to alter parts of the Indiana Code related to criminal law and procedure, though exact changes are not specified in the provided text.
  • The official amendment text is incomplete and does not specify the concrete changes intended for the Indiana Code.
  • Without detailed information on what aspects of criminal law and procedure will be modified, it's impossible to provide a clear explanation of the amendment's effects.
SB0250.04.COMH.AMH009

Filed Senate Bill (H) • Representative Blake Johnson

Failed

Plain English: This amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding criminal law and procedure, but does not provide specific details about what changes it intends to make.

  • The amendment seeks to alter parts of the Indiana Code related to criminal law and procedure, though exact changes are not specified in the provided text.
  • The official amendment text is incomplete and does not specify the concrete changes intended for the Indiana Code.
  • Without detailed information, it's unclear what specific aspects of criminal law and procedure would be affected.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-23 House

    Representatives Steuerwald, DeLaney added as cosponsors

  2. 2026-02-19 House

    Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  3. 2026-02-02 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code

  4. 2026-02-02 House

    Representative Zimmerman added as cosponsor

  5. 2026-01-29 Senate

    Referred to the House

  6. 2026-01-28 Senate

    Third reading: passed; Roll Call 123: yeas 35, nays 13

  7. 2026-01-28 Senate

    House sponsor: Representative Bascom

  8. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Second reading: ordered engrossed

  9. 2026-01-22 Senate

    Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  10. 2026-01-20 Senate

    Senator Doriot added as third author

  11. 2026-01-20 Senate

    Senators Baldwin, Young M, Clark, Leising added as coauthors

  12. 2026-01-20 Senate

    Senators Koch, Byrne added as coauthors

  13. 2026-01-15 Senate

    Committee report: amend do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations

  14. 2026-01-08 Senate

    Authored by Senators Freeman, Carrasco

  15. 2026-01-08 Senate

    First reading: referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure and to
make an appropriation.
Regulation of hemp.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure and to
make an appropriation.

Regulation of hemp.

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. Provides that a violation of the hemp derived cannabinoid products chapter is a deceptive act. Provides that the offense of aiding unlawful possession includes unlawful possession of a product containing THC. Provides that the alcohol and tobacco commission (commission) shall conduct random inspections of locations where products containing THC are sold. Allows law enforcement officers to engage minors who are at least 16 years of age to purchase THC products as part of a law enforcement action. Enacts provisions regulating the manufacture, distribution, sale, and transportation of hemp derived cannabinoid products (hemp derived cannabinoid products law). Requires the commission to enforce and administer the hemp derived cannabinoid products law. Provides for issuance of: (1) manufacturer permits; (2) distributor permits; (3) retail permits; and (4) carrier permits; for hemp derived cannabinoid products. Prohibits the sale of hemp derived cannabinoid products online or by delivery. Provides that a person issued a manufacturer permit may manufacture hemp derived cannabinoid products only in Indiana. Imposes packaging and labeling requirements for hemp derived cannabinoid products. Requires testing of hemp derived cannabinoid products and provides that the commission may spot test hemp derived cannabinoid products for compliance with the hemp derived cannabinoid products law. Specifies circumstances under which a hemp derived cannabinoid product shall be treated as if it is marijuana. Creates the hemp derived cannabinoid products fund and specifies purposes for which money in the fund shall be used. Imposes restrictions on advertising of hemp derived cannabinoid products. 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. Provides that the state seed commissioner (commissioner) may issue hemp grower's licenses and hemp handler's licenses, and specifies licensure requirements and duties of licensees. Provides that the commissioner: (1) shall share information with the state police department regarding the commissioner's licensure of hemp growers and handlers; and (2) shall report specified information to the United States Secretary of Agriculture. Provides that Indiana's hemp growing programs may not operate above federal restrictions or limitations. Repeals chapters regarding: (1) distribution of low THC hemp extract; and (2) sale of low THC hemp extract. Provides that a retail establishment in which tobacco products and products containing THC (rather than tobacco products alone, under current law) account for 85% of the establishment's gross sales may not allow an individual under 21 years of age to enter the establishment. 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 references to "delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol" and "low THC hemp extract" in certain crimes. 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. Specifies situations in which a product shall be treated as if it is marijuana. Makes an appropriation.