Indiana Legislature Passes Bill Including Statewide Cannabis Advertising Ban

Indiana lawmakers last week passed a bill that includes a ban on cannabis advertising in the state WANE reports. The new restrictions, which were added to legislation dealing with Bureau of Motor Vehicle rules, ban cannabis advertising “by any medium,” including billboards, flyers that are mailed to Indiana residents from out-of-state cannabis dispensaries, television, and truck advertising. 

It’s unclear how the proposal would affect online advertisements.    

The bill does include exemptions for billboard advertisements that are currently running but once those contracts expire, they will not be allowed to be renewed. 

During a hearing in March, state Rep. Jim Pressel (R), chair of the House Roads and Transportation Committee, said his community – which is near the Michigan border – is “inundated” with cannabis ads on billboards. He added that he and his constituents received up to two mailers a week advertising cannabis from out-of-state dispensaries.   

Cannabis possession is still prohibited in Indiana, although three of its four neighboring states, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio, have legalized and regulated adult-use cannabis. 

The bill passed the House 81-9 on April 23 and 31-19 in the Senate the following day. The legislation moves next to Republican Gov. Mike Braun (R) for his signature.