Holcomb signs bills allowing CBD oil, licenses for ‘Dreamers’

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed bill that allow for the widespread sale of a cannabis-derived oil as well as legislation to lift a prohibition on immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children from obtaining state professional licenses.

Holcomb signed a bill legalizing cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD. Derived from marijuana and hemp, it is believed to have therapeutic benefits but lacks the compounds that make users high.

“Indiana lawmakers delivered a bill that ensures Hoosiers who benefit from CBD oil can access it,” Holcomb said in signing the bill Wednesday. He said the bill provides much needed clarity, with labeling requirements and limiting to 0.3 percent the amount of cannabis’ psychoactive ingredient in CBD products.

Last year, lawmakers passed a similar law allowing people with some types of epilepsy to use CBD oil, but confusion over the law led to a state crackdown and an opinion from Attorney General Curtis Hill that CBD was illegal to sell to users not on a state epilepsy registry.

The new law takes effect July 1.

Separately, Holcomb signed legislation to lift a prohibition on immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children from obtaining state professional licenses.

Holcomb’s office said the Republican signed the measure Wednesday affecting people often referred to as “Dreamers.”  The issue cropped up unexpectedly after the state’s public licensing agency changed its interpretation of a state law and started withholding licenses.

Under the legislation earlier approved by the Legislature, participants in former President Barack Obama’s program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, will be able to get licensed for dozens of professions including cosmetology, nursing and real estate.

Holcomb said in a statement that he supports “removing impediments in state law that keep Indiana’s DACA recipients from skilling up and going to work.”