CBD in Indiana: Official State Guide

CBD may be legal in Indiana, but laws and regulations still govern its use. This article extensively covers what you need to know about CBD in Indiana.

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Cannabidiol, or CBD, is quickly becoming a popular alternative medicine for all sorts of ailments. It’s important to be careful when purchasing this hemp derivative, though, as there are a variety of rules that are important to follow.

There’s a reason CBD has become so prevalent in today’s market. You can use CBD for anything from acne and pain relief to anxiety and depression. Though research is limited, CBD has also helped ease the symptoms of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy.

Best Places to Buy CBD in Indiana in 2021

Is CBD Legal in Indiana? (Laws & Regulations)

Though Indiana maintains an anti-cannabis stance, hemp-derived CBD with 0.3% THC or less is legal to possess. Marijuana remains illegal, and most proposed bills to decriminalize or legalize it were swiftly rejected. 

THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol; it is the chemical that causes the “high” you may feel when consuming marijuana. Though THC and CBD are both psychoactive, they react with our brains much differently. 

Hemp was recently removed from the Controlled Substances Act, but CBD is technically still considered a Schedule I drug. Make sure to check your city’s guidelines and laws before purchasing or using CBD — illegally obtained oils could have other ingredients and negative health impacts.

As of 2018, Indiana law allows you to possess, buy, and sell CBD oil as long as it is low-THC and derived from industrial hemp. It must be at least 10% CBD and less than 0.3% THC, by weight. Keep in mind nonprescription CBD is unregulated and may be labeled inaccurately.

Indiana does have a zero-tolerance policy for THC in a person’s system, which can also occur after consuming a large quantity of CBD. and while laws have loosened around hemp-derived CBD, all CBD originating from marijuana is illegal both federally and within the state.

Indiana CBD Possession Limits

CBD derived from industrial hemp is the only form of cannabis that is legal in Indiana. Marijuana, marijuana-derived hemp, and THC are all illegal in the state, and possession or use comes with hefty fines of up to $10,000 and over two years in prison.

You’re allowed to possess and distribute an unlimited amount of CBD that derives from industrial hemp. 

Even if you have a prescription for medical marijuana, you are out of luck in Indiana. It was one of the first states to ban the medical use of marijuana back in 1913 and is still holding firm to that policy.

There are no provisions for medical marijuana in Indiana. 

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Indiana

As we said before, Indiana has yet to legalize medical marijuana. However, that doesn’t mean some people aren’t holding out hope. There is still a way to register for a medical marijuana card so you can prepare yourself if the laws begin to change.

Indiana Medical Marijuana Cards will be essential for purchasing the substance if it becomes legal. The first step is to make sure you qualify for a medical marijuana prescription by meeting a few criteria.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, anxiety, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, Parkinson’s Disease, Tourette’s Syndrome, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, or another disease that causes pain, inflammation, anxiety, or depression, you may qualify.

You will need to be diagnosed by a physician licensed in Indiana for one of the qualifying illnesses, and obtain official written certification from them. You also need valid proof of residency, like an Indiana driver's license or Indiana State ID card.

Next, you will need to make an in-person appointment with a medical marijuana doctor for an evaluation. You can do so on a site like Indiana Marijuana Card. The doctor will discuss your medical condition and history with you, 

The marijuana doctor can then decide if medical marijuana is an appropriate addition to your medical treatment, and will send a certification of your prescription to the Department of Health — there may also be a yearly fee involved that you will be responsible for.

Finding Marijuana Dispensaries in Indiana

It is illegal to purchase any form of cannabis in Indiana besides CBD. You can find CBD in most smoke or vape shops, beauty salons, and even health food stores. You can also order CBD online very easily if there is a specific brand that you prefer.

When you purchase CBD, make sure it is from a reputable seller. As CBD becomes a bigger wellness trend, more and more companies jump on the bandwagon to make a few dollars off of it. This can result in a much lower quality product. 

Make sure your CBD has been tested by a third party to ensure its health benefits. Lower quality CBD is more likely to contain harmful heavy metals, or even mold or fungus if the hemp was not well cared for.

Always check the full list of ingredients to make sure there are no extraneous chemicals or harmful additives. 

If you are looking for medical marijuana, you will need to travel outside the state of Indiana completely. According to WeedMaps, the closest dispensary to Indianapolis is Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary in Danville, Illinois. 

There are a few dispensaries closer to Fort Wayne, Indiana. The closest is The Nest in Camden, Michigan. WeedMaps is a good resource to find the closest dispensary to you.

Unfortunately, they will all be outside of Indiana’s borders.

FAQ's

Here are some commonly asked questions.

Next Steps

CBD could be a great addition to your medical treatment plan, and it is easy to procure now that it has become legal in all 50 states. Make sure you are purchasing from a reputable seller since CBD has become a trend that many businesses want to capitalize on.

You can easily find your CBD in a brick-and-mortar shop, but it’s also easy to order your preferred brands and forms of CBD online. The options are nearly endless!

You can’t say the same for marijuana. Even if you have a medical marijuana card, both recreational and medicinal use is illegal in the state of Indiana. 

Hopefully, this will change in the future — there are already ways to register for an Indiana-specific medical card and laws seem to be slowly changing.

Whether you are suffering from seizures, inflammation, or anxiety, CBD may be a good option for your treatment. If you are unsure of what brand or form of CBD to purchase, the salesperson may be able to give you a good recommendation.

The best rule of thumb is to start with a low dosage of CBD, no matter what form you choose. Make sure you listen to your body before trying a higher dosage and treat CBD the way you would any other kind of medicine.

With these facts in mind, you should be on your way to a positive experience with CBD. Soon you can look towards a more relaxed version of yourself!