Ohio House GOP Drafts Bill To Allow THC Drinks, Ban Other Intoxicating Hemp

Overview

• House Republicans prepared an amendment to Senate Bill 56 that would let stores and breweries sell THC‑infused beverages while temporarily barring other intoxicating hemp products as rules are developed, with advertising restricted to avoid youth appeal.
• The proposal also directs marijuana tax revenue to cities with dispensaries, a point of contention with Senate leaders, and sponsors plan to introduce it this week and send it to the Senate as soon as Wednesday.
• DeWine’s 90‑day executive order defines intoxicating hemp as products with more than 0.5 milligrams of THC per serving and would confine sales to licensed dispensaries, but enforcement is currently on hold.
• Franklin County Judge Carl Aveni issued a 14‑day temporary restraining order, and the next hearing is set for Oct. 28, allowing retailers to continue sales in the interim.
• Separately, the Ohio Department of Agriculture will end the state hemp plan, shifting growers to the federal Domestic Hemp Production Program on Jan. 1 and voiding current Ohio licenses on Dec. 31.