State lawmakers have approved a controversial bill impacting the Ohio hemp and cannabis communities. SB56 seeks to regulate intoxicating hemp while amending parts of the 2023 ballot initiative that legalized adult-use marijuana in the Buckeye State. The divisive measure has been decried by some cannabis activists, arguing it goes against the will of the voters.
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The bipartisan bill, which quickly made its way through the legislature, was passed just weeks after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued an executive order banning intoxicating hemp. That ban was challenged in court, and SB56 is seen as a compromise.
Instead of a total ban, most intoxicating hemp products could be sold in licensed hemp dispensaries. These would be separate from cannabis dispensaries; according to News5 Cleveland, the license would cost $75,000 – $5,000 more than a cannabis dispensary.
Rules around hemp THC drinks are looser; low-dose beverages (5mg of THC or less) can be purchased and consumed in bars, restaurants, and other establishments. Drinks with up to 10mg of THC can be sold in liquor stores.
While the hemp rules may be divisive, the bill’s language around cannabis is even more concerning for some advocates. The measure eliminates protections for law-abiding cannabis users, recriminalizes possession of pot not sourced from dispensaries or home grow, and further restricts where people can legally consume.
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Opponents of the legislation argue that lawmakers are overstepping by changing a law approved by the electorate. They’re encouraging residents to contact their elected officials and urge them to amend the measure.
“This bill is a slap in the face to the millions of Ohioans who voted in favor of Issue 2,” reads an action alert from cannabis advocacy group NORML. “Once again, politicians are arrogantly trying to claim that the public didn’t know what they were voting for.”
The legislation is back in the hands of the Senate, where legislators will craft a final version to send to Governor DeWine. It’s unclear whether all the provisions in SB56 will make it through, but one thing is certain: this “compromise” will be made without a fight.
