Push to Regulate Marijuana and Hemp Products Paused by Ohio Lawmakers

COLUMBUS, OH — State Representative Brian Stewart announced June 25th, that Ohio lawmakers will “push pause” on Senate Bill 56 and delay action on marijuana and hemp regulations until after their summer recess. The chair of the Ohio House Judiciary Committee confirmed the bill was removed twice from committee consideration and a subsequent meeting was canceled.

Stewart, R‑Ashville, said lawmakers plan to reconvene in the fall and “potentially take another crack” at the legislation. House Speaker Matt Huffman, R‑Lima, voiced concern that the Senate had introduced more than a dozen issues, and emphasized that House priorities, including the two‑year operating budget due July 1, would take precedence over rushing cannabis reforms. The legislature intends to break for summer following the budget’s approval.

Passed by the Senate in February, S.B. 56 would impose a maximum 70 percent THC limit on adult‑use marijuana extracts (currently capped at 90 percent), restrict the number of dispensaries to 400, prohibit public smoking, and preserve home cultivation limits at six plants per person or 12 per residence. The bill also consolidates medical and recreational cannabis oversight under the Division of Cannabis Control, while proposing new taxes on marijuana sales.

Notably, S.B. 56 includes measures targeting intoxicating hemp products—like delta‑8 and delta‑9 items—restricting sales to licensed dispensaries and imposing regulatory oversight through the Ohio Department of Commerce. Grocery and other retailers could still market drinkable cannabinoid items within tight THC limits. A companion bill, S.B. 86, passed in April establishing labeling, THC caps per serving and package, taxing at 10 percent, and banning sales to minors.

Proponents of hemp have urged amendments to allow independent hemp retailers to continue operations and prevent a dispensary monopoly. Related amendments were expected to be introduced before the committee meeting was canceled.

State Representative Jennifer Gross warned that up to 3,000 hemp businesses could close under current provisions. Wesley Bryant, owner of 420 Craft Beverages in Cleveland, described rigorous security measures at his hemp retail outlet: “Every square inch of my facility is fully covered by cameras… we even go so far as to double check IDs.”

Supporters of broader cannabis access reminded legislators that 57 percent of Ohio voters approved recreational use in 2023 with sales commencing August 2024. “The people of Ohio spoke very clearly on this issue… they voted to pass adult-use cannabis recreationally here in the state of Ohio,” said House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn.

Opponents of current hemp regulation language warned of continuing illicit sales. “It’s a sad day for all Ohioans that we’re going to continue to see these illicit products be sold in our state over the summer,” said Adrienne Robbin of the Ohio Cannabis Coalition. “These products are being marketed to (children) specifically,” with the majority “illicit” rather than legitimate.

Advocates argue the hemp and marijuana industries should be addressed separately via distinct bills to avoid conflating their regulation.

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