Is Weed Legal in Indiana? IN Cannabis Laws (2023 Update)
When it comes to marijuana laws in Indiana, officials are still sitting under the rock.
Not only is the recreational use of marijuana illegal, but Indiana also remains one of the few states without a medical marijuana program.
And yet, products like hemp-derived delta 8 THC are perfectly legal in Indiana.
How is that possible in a state that has such harsh marijuana laws?
Continue reading to learn more about marijuana’s legal status in Indiana.
Is Weed Legal in Indiana?
No, marijuana is illegal in Indiana both for recreational and medical use.
Related: Which States Have Legalized Weed?
Is Recreational Marijuana Legal in Indiana?
Indiana still has some of the most backward laws surrounding cannabis. Even possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use is criminalized in the state.
Is Medical Marijuana Legal in Indiana?
No, Indiana doesn’t have a medical marijuana program. You can’t obtain a recommendation from your doctor, nor are there any places you could buy medical marijuana.
Penalties for Marijuana Possession in Indiana
Possession of up to 2 ounces is categorized as a Class B misdemeanor and subject to a 1-year prison sentence on top of a $5,000 fine.
In June, the state government of Indiana admitted it’s looking to catch up with other states and decriminalize marijuana. It also announced that it’s working on establishing a medical marijuana program for patients.
However, none of these promises have yet been fulfilled.
Is Marijuana Decriminalized in Indiana?
No, almost the entire state has harsh penalties for marijuana possession. So far, only Marion county has decriminalized the possession of less than one ounce of weed (28 grams).
What’s the Future of Cannabis Legalization in Indiana?
Legislation is pending to legalize and regulate marijuana for recreational use in Indiana.
House Bill 1154 would permit adults to buy up to an ounce (28 grams) of marijuana or 8 grams of cannabis concentrate from state-licensed dispensaries. Indiana residents will also be allowed to grow up to 6 marijuana plants for personal use.
A Better and Legal Alternative to Marijuana in Indiana
Since marijuana is severely criminalized in Indiana, cannabis enthusiasts are looking for alternative options. Until recently, the only way to get legal cannabinoids in the state was with CBD products.
But thanks to recent breakthroughs in extraction methods, a new-ish cannabinoid has gone mainstream.
It’s about half as potent as delta 9 THC from marijuana; it also comes with a lower incidence of anxiety and paranoia. But most importantly, it’s legal at the federal level.
Does delta 8 THC ring a bell?
Delta 8 THC vs. Delta 9 THC
Delta 8 THC is an isomer of delta 8 THC — the main intoxicating ingredient in marijuana.
Both cannabinoids have similar molecular structures, but their atomic bonds are arranged in slightly different ways. Delta 8 THC has a double bond on the 8th carbon chain, while delta 9 THC comes with a double bond on the 9th chain.
This subtle difference makes delta 8 THC about half as potent as delta 9.
Cons of Delta 9 THC from Marijuana
Marijuana is the most popular illicit recreational substance in the world. It’s delta 9 THC that causes the signature high in marijuana users.
Most people can handle the effects of delta 9 THC pretty well. In low and moderate doses, the cannabinoid acts as a relaxant; it can relieve stress, ease pain, promote neuroprotection, and improve cognitive function.
High doses of delta 9 can induce a psychoactive buzz marked by euphoria, giggly mood, increased appetite, discomfort relief, altered thinking patterns, and sharpened senses.
However, the biphasic nature of delta 9 THC can backfire on sensitive users, elevating mental discomfort on top of a few unpleasant physiological reactions.
The side effects of delta 9 THC include:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Increased heart rate
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Problems with coordination
- Short-term memory impairment
Effects and Benefits of Delta 8 THC
Delta 8 THC produces similar effects to delta 9. However, since the cannabinoid is about 50% less potent, you’d need to consume twice the amount to experience the same intensity of effects.
Delta 8 THC is federally legal, so you can easily buy it online, unlike marijuana which is illegal not only in Indiana but also under federal law.
The benefits of delta 8 THC include:
- Anti-nausea
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain relief
- Increased appetite
- Feelings of calmness and relaxation
- Neuroprotection
Is Delta 8 THC Legal in Indiana?
In 2018, President Trump signed the amended Farm Bill into law, legalizing hemp and its derivatives as long as they contain 0.3% delta 9 THC or less.
When technological advancements allowed manufacturers to extract different THC isomers from hemp, the situation created a legal chaos. It turned out that, according to the Farm Bill, delta 8 THC products are lawful at the federal level if they don’t cross the federal limit for delta 9 THC.
14 states banned delta 8 THC by extending the 0.3% limit to other isomers, but Indiana follows the rules set out by the Farm Bill. You can legally buy delta 8 products locally and online.
Benefits of Buying Delta 8 THC Online in Indiana
Delta 8 THC is a trending cannabinoid, so it’s no wonder everybody wants to get their fair share of the cake. However, as with any booming market, there are no solid regulations in place regarding the manufacturing quality and purity of delta 8 products.
This creates room for fraudulent d8 companies to steer clear of who are churning out low-quality, contaminated extracts on the local market.
If you’re looking for a decent toolset to verify the credibility of your next vendor, search for delta 8 THC online.
You can:
- Look into the certificates of analysis of any delta 8 product
- Compare customer reviews from different sources
- Read the company’s “About Us” section
- Reach out to other users on forums (e.g. Reddit) and social media platforms
Buying delta 8 online is more convenient than running local errands. You can browse through different formulas, sizes, potencies, flavors, and prices, without having to leave your house. That’s why we recommend getting d8 online instead of locally.
Speaking of the prices, these are also lower with online retailers because they can cut out the middleman. Buying online gives you access to regular discounts, reward programs, subscription pricing, and other smart ways to save money on high-quality products.
Best Online Delta 8 Vendors
There are many great brands in the delta 8 THC space, but there’s an almost equal number of fly-by-night companies looking to capitalize on the booming market.
The best delta 8 THC comes from organic hemp, is thoroughly purged from toxins, and is meticulously tested for potency and purity in a third-party laboratory.
If you’re short on time, we’ve done the digging for you. After trying out over 30 delta 8 THC brands, we’ve narrowed down our options to five companies and picked out our favorite 2 manufacturers who make premium-quality products with reasonable price tags.
1. Area 52
Get 15% off all Area 52 products. Use code “CFAH” at checkout.
Area 52 is a brand with a clear mission, high-quality products, and outstanding customer service. It offers a broad selection of different delta 8 THC formats, including vape carts, tinctures, gummies, and pre-rolls.
All of Area 52 products are extracted from organic hemp grown in Colorado and Kentucky. These strains are known for their exceptional terpene content, ensuring more potent effects overall.
Area 52 tests its entire product line in an ISO-certified lab for potency and purity, including contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, bleaches, solvents, and mold.
2. Finest Labs
Finest Labs is known for its scientific approach to making cannabinoid extracts. The company employs some of the highest qualified lab workers in the U.S., ensuring Swiss precision in the potency of its delta 8 extracts.
The brand has a similar product choice to Area 52. You can choose from tinctures, vape carts, gummies, and pre-rolled joints in different strains.
On top of its selection of delta 8 products, Finest Labs also boasts a broad range of terpenes. They’re available as single terpenes or special blends that recreate the experience of specific cannabis phenotypes.
FAQs
Who Can Use Medical Marijuana in Indiana?
Indiana doesn’t have a medical marijuana program, so medical cannabis products are off-limits for residents.
Can You Grow Marijuana in Indiana?
Growing marijuana in Indiana is illegal, and getting caught with cannabis plants at home is treated as possession. Depending on the number of plants and the amount of weed the police find in your house, you may be also charged with possession with an intent to sell.
Can You Buy Weed Online in Indiana?
No, it’s illegal to buy marijuana through any means in Indiana. There are no cannabis dispensaries, nor are there any online stores that offer weed for delivery.
While you may stumble upon some social media profiles advertising to give away or sell marijuana in Indiana, these are either scams or just dealers looking for easy money.
Buying marijuana from the black market puts you at risk of losing your freedom due to heavy punishments for possession in Indiana.
You also don’t know what you’re smoking because black-market weed isn’t tested for pesticides and heavy metals.
Can You Smoke Marijuana in Public?
No, smoking marijuana in public is illegal. If you’re caught smoking weed on the streets, you’ll be charged with possession and taken to court.
Traveling with Marijuana in Indiana
Since marijuana is illegal in Indiana, you can’t travel with it by any means of transportation. If you try to take marijuana across state borders, it will be treated as a federal felony (drug trafficking). Being caught trafficking less than 50 kilograms of marijuana or fewer than 50 plants is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
Is CBD Oil from Hemp Legal in Indiana?
Hemp-derived CBD oil is legal in Indiana and the other 49 states.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and its derivatives by removing them from the list of controlled substances. Hemp became once again an agricultural commodity. Today, farmers can grow and sell it for any use, including clothes, food, construction materials, biofuel, ropes, and health supplements (e.g. CBD oil).
You can find CBD oil in your local pharmacy, hemp store, vape shop, or wellness center. You don’t need a prescription for it.
However, since the CBD market also lacks regulations surrounding the quality and safety of CBD products, the best deals on high-quality CBD are found online.
When buying CBD oil from online retailers, follow the same principles as with delta 8 THC. Always ask for relevant lab reports and read customer reviews before you buy.
Key Takeaways on Marijuana Legal Status in Indiana
Marijuana in Indiana is illegal for both recreational and medical use, and nothing seems to be changing any time soon.
State officials have promised to undertake decriminalization and provide patients with a medical marijuana program, but no progress has been made since those declarations.
So far, the only way to legally enjoy psychoactive cannabinoids in Indiana is through delta 8 THC products. Delta 8 THC is federally legal and doesn’t have such anxious side effects as delta 9 from marijuana.
When shopping for delta 8 THC online, make sure to check third-party lab test results and compare customer reviews from a few independent websites to get a full picture of your potential vendors.
