Ohio lawmakers are turning their attention to intoxicating hemp products with the introduction of a New Ohio Bill that could reshape the state’s cannabis landscape. State Sen. Bill DeMora recently introduced Senate Bill 266, a measure aimed squarely at restricting Hemp Sales to individuals under 21. Unlike other legislation, this New Ohio Bill focuses only on hemp, not voter-approved marijuana law.
The New Ohio Bill proposes strict safeguards. It would prohibit Hemp Sales of intoxicating products that have not undergone testing under marijuana standards. Additionally, it bans products considered attractive to children, such as edibles resembling candy, cookies, or fruit characters. DeMora said, “Everybody agrees intoxicating hemp products targeted to kids look like Skittles or Oreos and are unregulated. This New Ohio Bill addresses that problem.”
He stressed the urgent need for lawmakers to regulate or ban certain Hemp Sales, noting that without oversight, products may continue to make children sick.
The New Ohio Bill aligns with growing calls to separate marijuana and hemp policy. DeMora emphasized that while marijuana has its own voter-approved framework, hemp products require their own regulatory path. By tackling Hemp Sales independently, the New Ohio Bill aims to create clarity and safety in Ohio’s cannabis market.
This legislative push comes as Ohio remains one of roughly 20 states without formal rules around intoxicating hemp. A 2024 study by the Ohio State University Drug Enforcement and Policy Center highlighted the lack of safeguards, underscoring why the New Ohio Bill is surfacing now.
It’s also not the only proposal on the table. Senate Bill 86 would ban under-21 Hemp Sales, add a 10% excise tax, and restrict sales to marijuana dispensaries. Similarly, Senate Bill 56 seeks to regulate hemp alongside marijuana, limit THC potency, and cap dispensary numbers. House Bill 160 also addresses Hemp Sales while adjusting marijuana laws, including reducing extract THC limits and reallocating tax revenue.
Despite these competing measures, the New Ohio Bill has carved out a unique identity by narrowing its scope. By zeroing in on Hemp Sales that mimic candy or appeal to children, this legislation avoids broader marijuana controversies while still offering protections.
Ohio voters legalized recreational marijuana in 2023, and Hemp Sales surged in its wake. However, lawmakers retain the power to amend the system, and the New Ohio Bill represents a targeted effort to balance access with public health.
For now, all eyes are on the Ohio legislature to see whether this New Ohio Bill becomes the foundation for regulating Hemp Sales statewide.