Marijuana isn't legal in Indiana, but these local businesses still celebrate on 420

Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star
·3 min read
6

Plenty of businesses are high on 420,  the code for marijuana consumption.

That’s doubly so this April 20 (4/20).

And although straight-up cannabis consumption remains illegal in the state of Indiana, local food and drink spots have leaned into the theme with foods using made cannabis-derived ingredients, such as Delta 8 THC, sometimes called diet weed, or themes nodding to the culture.

Here are a few to check out this counterculture holiday.

Indiana marijuana laws: 13 marijuana bills died in Indiana's 2022 legislative session. This year, one has been heard

Chronic Coffee

42 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis, 317-377-4812, chroniccoffeeindy.com

Indy residents Matt Mamula and Christina Micca opened the tiny take-out shop in February 2022.

Specialty drinks are made from beans from the Tarrazu region in Costa Rica, of which Mamula, a former New York Yankee minor leaguer and professional poker player, became fond during his time living in Bogota, Colombia.

Iced coffee is made with frozen coffee cubes, and smoothies are made with frozen fruit; so the beverages don’t get watered down.

Customers can get a shot of locally-sourced CBD with their drinks.

Its best seller is The Chronic , an iced double espresso with caramel and vanilla hemp cold foam. There’s also a Purple Haze drink of blueberry lavender iced tea with muddled blueberry; and Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Girl Scout cookies flavored drinks as well.

Op/Ed: Marijuana is still illegal in Indiana, and we're losing millions to our neighbors.

Hazeables

5545 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, 317-802-1100, facebook.com/Hazeables

At this Irvington neighborhood spot, opened in October 2022,  Hazel Toledo bakes specialty desserts, pastries and cakes infused with Delta 8 THC.

Mil hojas from Hazeables bakery, 5545 E. Washington St., Indianapolis.
Mil hojas from Hazeables bakery, 5545 E. Washington St., Indianapolis.

Cheesecakes are topped with strawberry, blueberry and raspberry sauces she makes from fresh fruit. Cupcakes, chocolate bars, variety packs and mil hojas cream-filled puff pastries round out the offerings.

The desserts, and pup treats, come without Delta 8, as well.

It’s the first 4/20 for the shop.

To observe it, Hazeables will give away a free 100 mg chocolate with the purchase of $25 or more.

And for 4/22 (read 420, too), there will be a buy one, get one gummy special and customers purchasing a pack of cookies or brownies will get the second for half off.

Hazeables: Get baked with cheesecakes and puff pastries

The Missing Brick

6404 Rucker Rd., Suite 10, Indianapolis, 317-257-7557, themissingbrick.com

At this  21-and-up concept, opened in 2019, diners will find pizzas listed under edibles – one is named 8 Ball – and garlic knots called Dough Buds.

The Trap Pizza from The Missing Brick features Chef Oya's OG Garlic Herb Trap Buttah and FoodLoveTog's Young Bae Spice.
The Trap Pizza from The Missing Brick features Chef Oya's OG Garlic Herb Trap Buttah and FoodLoveTog's Young Bae Spice.

There are collaborations with other Black-owned restaurants; for example Chef Oya’s The Trap inspired a pizza with jumbo shrimp, crab, Foodlovetog’s YoungBae spice and Oya's Trap Buttah. The Hank is made with smoked brisket from Hank’s Smoked Briskets and King Ribs BBQ sauce.

April 20 this year happens to fall on Trap Thursday when two shrimp and crab pizzas are  $30 and beer and wine will be $4.20.

Indiana marijuana laws

Indiana allows for the sale and consumption of low-THC hemp extracts, provided they meet particular testing and labeling requirements, the result of 2018 federal and state legislation.

After 13 marijuana bills died in Indiana's 2022 legislative session, a marijuana decriminalization bill for the first time made it to the House Courts and Criminal Code committee during the 2013 session.

The bill proposing to decriminalize possession of two ounces or less of marijuana didn’t get any farther than a February hearing though.

Under current state law, possession of less than 30 grams, or about one ounce, earns a misdemeanor. It's a felony to possess more than that if the person has a prior drug conviction.

It was among 10 marijuana-related bills — including legalize medical marijuana use  —  filed during the recent legislative session.

Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on Twitter:@cherylvjackson.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 420 Day deals around Indianapolis for 2023