In July of 2016, the state of Indiana passed down strict regulations for manufacturers of e-liquid products. The laws required acquisition of a license, detailed batch records, and security from production to sale. In many ways, Indiana’s e-cigarette laws mirror the regulations surrounding Cannabis – but nicotine is not a Schedule I drug.
Vape shops closed and many ceased production because of the prohibition on shipping to or from the Hoosier state. According to the Lafayette Journal & Courier, the hundreds of different products once sold have dwindled to seven.
Where did they go?
Industry insiders say that customers went to Illinois to buy their e-juices and there has been a rise in DIY juice-makers.
Evan McMahon, the founder of Hoosier Vapers and vocal opponent to the laws, said a recent survey showed many respondents turned to home-brewing or traveling to another state to purchase e-liquids after the e-liquid shops seemed to vaporize off the map.
Many storeowners have seen an increase in the amount of DIY/home-brew groups popping up. Store owners caution home-brewers, as they have limited knowledge; lack the proper equipment; no controls for varied formulations; and are probably not making batches in a clean environment.
This is what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wanted to combat with the infamous deeming regulations but a black market is more than likely developing and is paradoxically more dangerous than the problem the feds sought to squelch. Some are hoping the Republican-led legislature will dismantle the regulations or more likely, ease them.
For e-liquid manufacturers hoping to stay in the game, be sure to check out our Standard Operating Procedures or our compliance software, InstantGMP™ Vape. Our software will help your company implement the necessary workflows to comply with the deeming regulations. Sign up for a live demo and see how we transform the compliance process from a maze to amazing.