Industrial Hemp and Cannabis: Indiana's Opportunity to Lead with Mandated Standards

From Battleground to Breakthrough: Redefining Our Approach

The recent discussion around industrial hemp being "anti-cannabis" highlights a critical need in our industry: the importance of comprehensive education before implementing regulations or legislation, particularly in emerging agricultural and manufacturing sectors like those developing in Indiana.

Understanding the Botanical Reality

A recent industry perspective suggested that "Growing Industrial hemp is, & has always been anti-cannabis" due to the pollen concerns for THC and CBD cannabis growers. While there's technical truth to this botanical reality—male hemp plants produce pollen that can travel miles and potentially fertilize female cannabis plants grown for CBD or THC (turning flowers to seed and reducing potency)—this represents a nuanced agricultural challenge rather than an inherent conflict between sectors.

This relationship between industrial hemp and cannabis illustrates precisely why we need evidence-based approaches to regulation rather than polarized positions.

Indiana's Unique Position in Cannabis Policy History

From the White House to Indiana: Mitch Daniels' Journey

Indiana's cannabis policy cannot be discussed without acknowledging Mitch Daniels' influential role in shaping both national and state perspectives:

• White House Origins: Before becoming Indiana's governor, Daniels served as a political advisor in the Reagan White House alongside Dr. Carlton Turner, the administration's drug policy architect
• War on Drugs Architect: During this period, Daniels witnessed the creation and implementation of the "Just Say No" campaign and the escalation of the War on Drugs initiatives
• Policy Evolution: After leaving Washington, Daniels' approach to governance in Indiana was notably more pragmatic than ideological—focusing on economic development and fiscal responsibility
• Purdue Leadership: His subsequent leadership at Purdue University positioned him at the intersection of academic research, agricultural innovation, and economic development—the exact nexus where evidence-based cannabis policy must be formed

Daniels' personal evolution—from the Reagan-era War on Drugs to his more nuanced approach to governance and higher education leadership—mirrors the journey Indiana itself must take: from prohibition battleground to evidence-based policy leader.

The Cost of Misinformation: "Just Say No" Legacy

The "Just Say No" campaign and the War on Drugs that accelerated during the 1980s produced a level of misinformation about cannabis that continues to impact policy decisions:

• Scientific Setbacks: Legitimate research into cannabis' medical applications was delayed by decades
• Perpetuated Misconceptions: The campaign conflated industrial hemp with drug cannabis, hampering agricultural innovation
• Economic Consequences: Indiana's agricultural and manufacturing sectors were prevented from exploring legitimate hemp applications
• Social Impact: Communities faced disproportionate enforcement and criminalization

Indiana has been, in many ways, ground zero for the War on Drugs—with some of the nation's strictest cannabis laws despite being surrounded by states with medical or adult-use programs. This position now creates a unique opportunity to correct course based on evidence rather than rhetoric.

Historical Context: Influential Indiana-Based Organizations

Two institutions with deep Indiana roots have played significant yet contrasting roles in shaping cannabis and hemp policy: the American Legion and Eli Lilly.

The American Legion: From Prohibition to Advocacy

The American Legion, founded in Indiana in 1919, has undergone a remarkable evolution in its stance on cannabis:

• Early Prohibition Support: Initially aligned with anti-cannabis messaging during the Prohibition era
• Veterans' Health Pivot: In recent years, the Legion has become one of the most powerful advocates for medical cannabis research, particularly for veterans suffering from PTSD, chronic pain, and other service-related conditions
• Research Advocacy: In 2016, the Legion formally called on the federal government to remove cannabis from Schedule I to facilitate research, marking a historic shift in their position
• Veteran Access: The organization now actively lobbies for veterans' access to medical cannabis through VA healthcare

This evolution demonstrates how evidence-based education can transform perspectives, even within traditionally conservative institutions, when the focus shifts to medicinal benefits and patient outcomes.

Eli Lilly: The Pharmaceutical Perspective

Eli Lilly, the Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant, has a complex historical relationship with cannabis:

• Historical Production: Few remember that Eli Lilly was once one of the largest producers of cannabis-based medicines in the early 20th century before prohibition
• Cannabis Formulations: The company sold various cannabis tinctures and extracts for pain, nausea, and other conditions until the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act effectively ended legal cannabis medicine
• Research Opportunities: Today, as cannabis regulations evolve, Eli Lilly represents the potential for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing in Indiana to engage with cannabinoid research
• Economic Implications: The company's historical involvement underscores Indiana's potential to reclaim leadership in plant-based pharmaceutical development through evidence-based regulation

Bridging Medical Innovation and Market Sustainability

Indiana stands uniquely positioned to leverage what have historically been adversarial relationships:

• Medical Frontier: The cannabis industry has evolved far beyond THC and CBD, with research now exploring dozens of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant compounds with potential therapeutic applications
• Traditional Market Resilience: The persistence of traditional cannabis markets despite decades of prohibition demonstrates not just resilience but sustainability—an indication of enduring demand and economic potential
• Agricultural Heritage: Indiana's agricultural expertise and infrastructure provide the foundation for quality cultivation of both hemp and medical cannabis
• Manufacturing Excellence: The state's manufacturing capabilities could position it as a leader in processing, extraction, and product development

The Case for Mandated Standards: Indiana's Leadership Opportunity

A CALL TO ACTION: MANDATED STANDARDS FOR INDIANA

Indiana has a historic opportunity to become the FIRST STATE TO ACTUALLY ATTEMPT TO DO IT RIGHT by implementing mandated standards across the cannabis and hemp industries:

1. Agricultural Standards:
2. Manufacturing Standards:
3. Testing Standards:
4. Educational Standards:
5. Regulatory Standards:

How Mandated Standards Position Indiana for Leadership

By implementing comprehensive standards before developing a medicinal program or expanded hemp industry, Indiana can:

• Attract Investment: Companies seeking regulatory certainty and quality assurance will be drawn to Indiana's clear standards
• Ensure Patient Safety: Medical applications can proceed with confidence in product consistency and safety
• Create Agricultural Opportunities: Farmers can confidently invest in hemp cultivation knowing clear guidelines exist for coexistence with other crops
• Drive Innovation: Clear standards create the foundation for research and development of new applications
• Build Public Trust: Evidence-based standards address concerns that have historically fueled opposition

Moving Forward: Education Before Regulation

The principle to "Educate before we LEGISLATE OR REGULATE" must guide Indiana's approach. By learning from the misinformation of past campaigns and embracing evidence-based standards, Indiana can transform from cannabis policy battleground to national leader.

The biological reality that hemp pollen can affect cannabis cultivation doesn't make these industries natural enemies—it makes them natural partners in developing thoughtful agricultural practices. Through education, collaboration, and evidence-based policy development built on mandated standards, Indiana can lead the nation in responsible cannabis and hemp industry development.

This article represents a call to action for evidence-based policy in emerging agricultural sectors. The author supports advanced manufacturing growth in Indiana through education-first approaches to regulation and legislation, with a specific focus on mandated standards that position Indiana as a national leader.