INDIANA — In a final hours “dead on arrival” scenario, two of the most controversial pieces of legislation in the 2026 Indiana General Assembly session failed to move forward after missing critical voting deadlines this week.
Senate Bill 250, which aimed to effectively ban delta-8 and synthetic hemp products, and Senate Bill 1359, a late-hour attempt to slash Indiana’s early voting period, both died on the floor after the Senate failed to take them up for a third reading before the February 24 deadline.
The End of the “Hemp Loophole” Bill
Senate Bill 250, authored by Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis), was designed to bring Indiana in line with federal reclassifications and close a “drug loophole” that has allowed potent, unregulated hemp-derived products to be sold in gas stations and CBD shops.
The proposed bill would have:
- Banned Synthetic THC: Made delta-8 and other synthetic cannabinoids illegal.
- Tightened Limits: Lowered the legal THC limit to 0.4 milligrams per container, effectively banning many currently popular THC-infused drinks and gummies.
- Prohibited Online Sales: Required all transactions for remaining legal hemp products to be face-to-face to ensure age verification.
While proponents argued the bill protected children from “gas station highs,” industry leaders warned that the strict limits would have forced nearly all Indiana-based hemp businesses to close their doors. With the bill’s failure to meet the deadline, these products remain legal for the time being.
Early Voting Period Stays at 28 Days
Lawmakers also missed the deadline to move forward with a significant overhaul of Indiana’s election laws.
An amendment added to Senate Bill 1359, authored by Representative Timothy Wesco (R-Osceola), would have reduced the state’s early in-person voting window from 28 days to just 16.
Key Controversy:
- Proponents argued the shorter window would save counties money and align Indiana with the national average of 20 days.
- Opponents, including many county clerks, called the move “voter suppression,” noting that over 650,000 Hoosiers utilized early voting in recent elections.
The Senate recessed on February 19 and did not return to the bill before the Tuesday deadline, meaning Indiana’s early voting for the upcoming 2026 Primary and General elections will remain at the current 28-day standard.
Other Deadlines and “Killed” Legislation
The February 24 deadline served as a “crossover” cut-off, where bills must pass their house of origin to survive. According to the Indiana General Assembly’s 2026 calendar, several other notable measures were also designated as “inactive” this week:
- SB 11: A proposal to bring back the firing squad as a method of execution.
- SB 21: An attempt to name a “State Sandwich.”
- SB 73: A ban on wearing masks at public assemblies.
The General Assembly is expected to officially adjourn for the year by March 14, 2026.
