Ohio Hemp Companies Fight Again: Stop the Ohio Hemp Ban from going into effect

jars of deli-style weed somewhere in Ohio

Ohio Hemp Companies Fight Again: Stop the Ohio Hemp Ban from going into effect

January 22, 2026

You can click on SB56 to read the full bill

Ohio hemp companies are again attempting to stop a statewide hemp ban as Senate Bill 56 (SB 56) moves closer to full implementation. The latest effort follows Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's rejection of an earlier referendum petition, prompting organizers to submit a revised version for review.

Although the referendum process is being used, this situation is not being driven solely by activists. Hemp business owners are frustrated, but so are consumers. Many Ohio residents say SB 56 goes far beyond hemp and directly impacts their daily lives in ways that were not part of the voter-approved cannabis law passed in 2023.

Consumer concerns are growing

Consumers across Ohio are unhappy with SB 56 because it removes protections that many people relied on after the legalization of marijuana. The law eliminates statutory language that previously protected lawful cannabis users from discrimination in housing and employment. That means people who legally use cannabis could now face consequences when renting a home, maintaining housing, or keeping a job, even when their use is lawful under Ohio law.

For many consumers, this feels like a rollback of rights they believed voters had already secured.

Changes to possession and vehicle storage

SB 56 also changes how cannabis must be handled and stored, especially in vehicles. Consumers can now face legal trouble if cannabis is not stored correctly, even if it was purchased legally. Tighter rules around accessibility, packaging, and placement in a vehicle have created confusion and anxiety, with many people worried about unintentionally violating the law during routine travel.

There are new penalties for buying weed in Michigan and bringing it back to Ohio.

These changes are a major concern for everyday consumers who expected legalization to bring clarity, not add legal risk.

Impact on hemp businesses

At the same time, hemp businesses say SB 56 effectively removes them from the market. The law bans most consumable hemp products from being sold outside licensed marijuana dispensaries. Products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, or products containing synthetic cannabinoids, would no longer be legal in general retail settings.

Business owners say they followed the rules as written, invested heavily in compliance, hired staff, and built customer bases, only to be confronted with a sudden policy shift and no transition period.

What happens next

The revised referendum petition will again be reviewed by the attorney general’s office. If approved, organizers will be allowed to collect signatures statewide. If enough valid signatures are submitted by the deadline, enforcement of the challenged portions of SB 56 would be paused until voters can decide the issue at the ballot box.

If the signature threshold is not met, the law will move forward as scheduled.

Why this matters beyond legislation

These issues are expected to be a major topic of discussion at upcoming public forums and educational events, including the Ohio Cannabis Expo in Columbus. Events like this give consumers, business owners, and industry professionals a place to ask questions, share concerns, and learn how new laws affect housing, employment, travel, and everyday life in Ohio.

Ohio Cannabis Live will continue covering these developments closely and breaking them down in clear, practical terms for Ohio residents.

Call to action

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