Then you read great things like this...
The Indiana Hemp Industries (INHIA) has been very busy during the 2018 legislative session. Our hard work has been paying off. But we owe our success to you: the parents, businesses, entrepreneurs and grassroots advocates. Thank you! But we are not done yet. We need all of you to remain engaged until the end of the 2018 legislative session, which is scheduled for March 14, 2018.
INHIA engaged on four main legislative proposals moving their way through the legislative process: SB 52, SB 294, HB 1137 and HB 1214. INHIA was originally opposed to SB 52 and SB 294. SB 52 originally narrowed the definition of industrial hemp by requiring the product to contain 0% THC. We had a great showing during committee testimony from businesses, parents, doctors and grassroots advocates testifying in support of using the federal definition of industrial hemp, which allows for up to .3% THC. SB 52 was later amended to include the federal definition of industrial hemp and remove the requirement of purchasers of industrial hemp to register with the state. SB 294 would have continued to require parents and children to subject themselves to a state maintained watch list in order to use industrial hemp products. Because of your help, SB 294 is now dead for session along with the requirement that Hoosiers must register with the state to use industrial hemp products.
HB 1214 is an attempt to fix industrial hemp laws to make it clear anyone who wants to purchase and possess industrial hemp products may do so as long as the product contains not more than .3% THC and at least 5% cannabinoid. INHIA supports this bill in part but there is room for improvement such as removing the requirement the product contains at least 5% cannabidoil. INHIA views this requirement as unnecessarily restricting the industrial hemp market for our Hoosier businesses and consumers.
INHIA fully supports HB 1137 as it not only clarifies the legal status of industrial hemp in Indiana but also lays the ground work for Hoosier farmers to be given the options to grow industrial hemp should they choose to do so. Legislators heard testimony from our businesses and farmers who want to locally source their raw material from industrial hemp and farmers who want the option to diversify their income.
