Indiana Senate Advances Bill to Ban Marijuana Billboard Ads

25 March 2025

Indiana lawmakers are advancing legislation to ban billboard advertisements for marijuana and other controlled substances, in a move aimed at limiting cannabis-related messaging from nearby legal states. Today, the Senate Homeland Security and Transportation Committee approved an amendment to House Bill 1390, which now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further review.

The push is led by Rep. Jim Pressel (R–Rolling Prairie), who says ads for Michigan dispensaries—often placed along Indiana highways near parks and public areas—confuse Hoosiers about the state's strict cannabis laws. Marijuana remains illegal in Indiana for both medical and recreational use, making these ads, according to Pressel, an “unacceptable” signal to the public.

Supporters of the bill argue the advertisements may encourage illegal activity and blur the line between Indiana's laws and neighboring states'. But opponents, including Indiana’s outdoor advertising industry, say the bill unfairly targets billboards while ignoring similar messaging on social media, websites, and print media. They argue it infringes on commercial free speech and advocate for clearer disclaimers instead of an outright ban.

Though the legislation doesn’t alter Indiana’s cannabis laws, it reinforces the state’s resistance to legalization efforts seen in neighboring states. For Indiana residents, especially those in the cannabis or hemp industries—or those curious about out-of-state options—the billboard ban signals continued caution from state lawmakers and a tightening of how cannabis-related messaging can appear in public spaces.