According to the lawsuit, Ohio is home to more than 4,500 small and family businesses who sell hemp-based products.
By Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio restaurants and stores can sell hemp-infused products until at least the beginning of December.
Carl Aveni of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas extended the temporarily restraining orders on Governor. Mike DeWine (R)’s executive order prohibiting the sale of hemp-based intoxicants until December 2 has been extended.
Aveni initially granted a 14 day TRO to DeWine on October 14, which was due to expire on Tuesday. Next hearing is set for Tuesday, December 2.
DeWine has announced a 90-day ban on intoxicating hemp product sales that began also on October 14th.
Titan Logistic Group, Fumee Smoke and Vape and Invicta Partners—all members of the Ohio Healthy Alternatives Association—quickly filed a lawsuit October 8 against the ban, arguing DeWine is breaking federal and state law by restricting access to these products.
Items that contain THC and are not sold in licensed marijuana dispensaries, such as gas stations, CBD shops or smoke shops are considered to be Intoxicating Hemp Products. According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is legal if its THC content is less than 0.3%.
Ohio has legalized marijuana, which isn’t considered a product containing intoxicants. This ban doesn’t affect the 2023 marijuana law.
According to the lawsuit, Ohio is home to more than 4,500 small and family businesses who sell hemp-based products.
Last week, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a measure that added several new regulations for intoxicating products made from hemp.
Senate Bill No. 56 states that only licensed hemp retailers can sell intoxicating products made from hemp to adults over 21. Dispensaries will be held to a standard for advertising, packaging and testing. Intoxicating hemp would face a 10 percent tax.
Although the House has made many amendments to the bill, it will be sent back to Senate to receive concurrence.
A minimum of 32 states regulate the intoxication of hemp products.
Ohio Capital Journal was the first to publish this article.