Overview
- President Trump last week signed a shutdown-ending bill that rewrites federal hemp rules and will effectively bar many intoxicating hemp products in states without their own regulations by November 2026.
- Ohio lawmakers failed Wednesday to reach a conference deal on Senate Bill 56, leaving plans to regulate THC beverages and other hemp products unresolved as the Senate adjourned until December.
- The Ohio House previously passed a version of S.B. 56 to set state oversight and restrict sales to regulated outlets, but the Senate voted down that approach and some senators favor pulling products from store shelves.
- Rep. Jamie Callender said last-minute Senate additions on marijuana policy were unconstitutional and could recriminalize THC or enable searches based on being a known user, while Sen. Bill DeMora warned of impacts on driving and employment and the lack of expungement funding.
- Gov. Mike DeWine’s October emergency order to ban intoxicating hemp remains on hold by a Franklin County court as industry, regulators and legislators await the next session under the new federal timeline.