Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a bill that makes changes to the state’s laws on marijuana and intoxicating hemp, with a line-item veto.Senate Bill 56 passed the Senate 22-7 on Dec. 9 and was sent to DeWine’s desk. He signed it on Friday.The bill moves intoxicating hemp products out of general retail and into the regulated dispensary system, treating them more like marijuana products than traditional hemp products.The bill would have allowed for THC beverages to continue to be sold at retailers to those 21 and older through the end of 2026, with the stricter limits taking effect at the end of that year. DeWine, however, vetoed that provision of the bill on Friday, cutting that period to 90 days.“Ohio is making good public policy by enacting its own intoxicating hemp ban earlier than federal law. However, a carve out to allow the further sale of intoxicating hemp beverages for most of 2026 will create confusion for consumers and a lack of conformity with federal law,” DeWine said.The bill maintained federal interstate commerce restrictions, making it illegal to transport marijuana across state lines, regardless of its legal status in other states.The bill came after DeWine issued an emergency ban on intoxicating hemp products. The ban was blocked by a judge’s order as it continued to play out in court. Three Ohio companies sued DeWine just days after he signed the executive order. In the lawsuit, the three companies claim DeWine’s order is “unlawful,” and said there is no evidence that hemp products pose a health threat.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a bill that makes changes to the state’s laws on marijuana and intoxicating hemp, with a line-item veto.
Senate Bill 56 passed the Senate 22-7 on Dec. 9 and was sent to DeWine’s desk. He signed it on Friday.
The bill moves intoxicating hemp products out of general retail and into the regulated dispensary system, treating them more like marijuana products than traditional hemp products.
The bill would have allowed for THC beverages to continue to be sold at retailers to those 21 and older through the end of 2026, with the stricter limits taking effect at the end of that year. DeWine, however, vetoed that provision of the bill on Friday, cutting that period to 90 days.
“Ohio is making good public policy by enacting its own intoxicating hemp ban earlier than federal law. However, a carve out to allow the further sale of intoxicating hemp beverages for most of 2026 will create confusion for consumers and a lack of conformity with federal law,” DeWine said.
The bill maintained federal interstate commerce restrictions, making it illegal to transport marijuana across state lines, regardless of its legal status in other states.
The bill came after DeWine issued an emergency ban on intoxicating hemp products. The ban was blocked by a judge’s order as it continued to play out in court.
Three Ohio companies sued DeWine just days after he signed the executive order. In the lawsuit, the three companies claim DeWine’s order is “unlawful,” and said there is no evidence that hemp products pose a health threat.
