Hemp industry pushes back against possible federal, state bans

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - As the hemp industry works to overturn federal legislation banning many of its products, it’s also lobbying Ohio lawmakers to enact regulations and guardrails at the state level.

The Ohio House recently passed a bill that would regulate and tax intoxicating hemp products like Delta-8 gummies and THC beverages. A legal loophole had previously allowed for the sale of intoxicating hemp products without regulations.

House and Senate lawmakers have been negotiating a final version of the bill, which also changes Ohio’s marijuana laws. It’s an effort they’ve tried and failed to accomplish since 2023.

But included in the bill Congress passed to reopen the federal government is a federal ban of intoxicating hemp products. The federal ban would take effect in November 2026 if it’s not repealed.

The development complicated efforts by Ohio lawmakers to regulate the products.

The final version of the Ohio legislature’s marijuana and hemp bill could now include a state ban of intoxicating hemp products, according to the trade association the Ohio Healthy Alternatives Association.

The bill hasn’t been publicly released yet.

If it includes a ban, it would go into effect 90 days after the bill gets the governor’s signature.

Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) has previously called for a ban of intoxicating hemp products. He signed an executive order banning the products after nearly two years of asking the legislature to adopt regulations. A judge has since temporarily blocked the ban.

“We would love to regulate and regularize the operations of the industry,” said OHHAA Executive Director Michael Tindall. “We’ve been asking for that for years, both federally and at the state level. We’ve had many conversations at the state level asking and begging to regulate the businesses to get rid of the small percentage of bad actors that exist in the industry so we can move on and protect our customers and have a regular business environment.”

The OHHAA projects a state ban would negatively impact 4,000 businesses and 20,000 jobs across Ohio. Tindall said he expects Congress to repeal the federal ban that’s set to take effect in one year.

“We’re really urging lawmakers in the state of Ohio to either honor their intent to pass a good bill that regulates the industry, or at least align with the federal timeline,” Tindall said. “There’s no question that the industry as a whole wants regulation. We want that guideline so we canoperate as business owners and look at the longer term and look at how we can improve what we can do for our customers at the end of the day.”

Watch our full discussion in the video player below this story.

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