Indiana Cannabis Laws 2026: The Modern Era
2026 (February)
2026 (February): House Bill 1346, which aimed to overhaul the definition of "low-THC hemp extract" to a strict 0.3% total THC limit (including THCA) and ban synthetic cannabinoids, officially dies in committee.
2026 (Current Status)
2026 (Current Status): Marijuana remains fully illegal for recreational and medical use. Hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC are permitted, though high-potency THCA and Delta-8 products remain a subject of legal debate as attempts to regulate total THC continue to fail.
The CBD and Hemp Era (2017–2024)
2017
2017: Governor Eric Holcomb signs a very limited bill allowing CBD use only for patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy.
2018
2018: Following the federal Farm Bill, Indiana legalizes the sale of CBD oil for all adults, provided it contains less than 0.3% THC.
2019
2019: The state attempts to ban smokable hemp flower, sparking a multi-year legal battle with the hemp industry that eventually results in the state maintaining strict control over "smokable" products.
Early Prohibition (1913–1970s)
The Indiana marijuana laws timeline began earlier than many other states.
1913
1913: Indiana becomes one of the first states to ban the sale of cannabis without a prescription.
1970s
1970s: Unlike other states in the Midwest, Indiana did not pass a decriminalization measure during the 1970s reform wave, solidifying its status as a prohibitionist state.