Indiana Lawmakers Debate Senate Bill 250, Aimed at Restricting Intoxicating Hemp Products

Indiana lawmakers are once again weighing how to regulate hemp-derived THC products, as Senate Bill 250 moves through the Statehouse. The proposal would restrict intoxicating hemp products such as Delta-8 THC and further regulate low-THC hemp sold across the state.

State Representative Bob Morris (R-Fort Wayne) joined Fort Wayne’s Morning News on Monday to explain what the bill is designed to address and where it could be headed next.

“This is essentially Indiana’s push to ban intoxicating hemp products,” Morris said. “It’s a comprehensive piece of legislation focused on trying to limit THC products across the Hoosier State.”

“Deceiving People” and Targeting Kids

According to Morris, one of the primary concerns driving Senate Bill 250 is how some hemp-derived products are currently marketed and packaged.

“What they’re doing with hemp products today is they’re really deceiving people into thinking that they’re something else,” Morris said. “They put them in bags that look similar to a lot of popular candies and really targeting children to start using the products.”

Morris said he has worked on hemp-related legislation for several years, noting that previous efforts have stalled once they reached the Senate.

“For the past probably four or five years, I’ve had some sort of hemp piece of legislation in my committee,” he said. “My committee has passed hemp flower legislation out of the House, sent it over to the Senate, and the Senate would kill it.”

Supporters Say It’s About Protection, Not Prohibition

When asked whether the bill is primarily about protecting children, Morris said that is a major focus — but not the only issue lawmakers are grappling with.

“It is about protecting our kids,” he said. “But the most frustrating thing is members of the assembly that continuously strike down different proposals.”

Morris pointed to the growing visibility of THC products throughout Indiana, saying the issue is already widespread.

“There’s not too many places you can go in the Hoosier State without smelling some kind of substance, whether it’s hemp or marijuana,” he said.

Concerns About Jobs and Businesses

Critics of Senate Bill 250 have argued the proposal could hurt small businesses and eliminate jobs tied to the hemp industry. Morris said lawmakers are trying to balance economic concerns with public safety.

“We don’t want to cost anyone a job,” Morris said. “It’s just with our children and with our people.”

He acknowledged that some safeguards already exist, such as QR codes on packaging that show where products are made, but said Indiana is largely following federal law — and in some cases has gone even further.

“In years past, we’ve even restricted federal law that has to do with the Farm Bill and hemp products,” Morris said.

Hoosiers Want Regulation, Morris Says

Morris said surveys and feedback from constituents suggest many Hoosiers want stronger oversight of THC products.

“There’s a lot of surveys out there that we’ve asked our constituents about THC products, and they want them to be regulated,” he said. “So we need to push for this.”

However, he added that some lawmakers are hesitant to fully engage with the issue.

“The reality is members of the assembly just don’t want to dive deep into the issue,” Morris said.

Enforcement and What Comes Next

If Senate Bill 250 becomes law, Morris said enforcement would fall largely to existing agencies.

“We have the ATC currently regulating tobacco products, regulating hemp products, and they also regulate alcohol products,” he said. “Complaints from constituents, complaints from Hoosiers on a specific product and a specific store — and we do have the proper law enforcement today that can enforce these laws.”

As for the bill’s status, Morris said it is expected to come before his committee next.

“I’m the chairman of Commerce, Business and Economic Development,” Morris said. “We meet on Wednesdays, and we’ve already been in discussion in regards to this. We’ll see what happens the second half of session.”

Morris said he plans to continue working with Senate leaders as the debate over hemp regulation continues at the Statehouse.