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Ohio Senate Bill 56: A Step Backward for Cannabis Consumers and Small Businesses
- Ohio Cannnabis Live
- 17 hours ago
- 4 min read
Written by Mastamynd 12/10/2025
Ohio’s recent passage of Senate Bill 56 (S.B. 56) marks a troubling turn for cannabis consumers and small businesses in the state. Despite voters approving cannabis legalization similar to alcohol, lawmakers have introduced new restrictions that limit how cannabis can be transported, consumed, and sold. This bill also removes protections for consumers and curtails opportunities for smaller businesses to thrive in the cannabis market.
This post breaks down the key points of Ohio Senate Bill 56, explains its impact on Ohio’s cannabis community, and explores what lies ahead as the bill moves toward becoming law.
What Senate Bill 56 Changes for Cannabis Consumers
Ohio Senate Bill 56: introduces several new restrictions that directly affect how cannabis consumers in Ohio can use and transport their products:
Packaging Requirements
Cannabis must remain in its original packaging at all times, even if the packaging cannot be reseal properly. This creates practical challenges for consumers who want to carry or store their cannabis safely and discreetly.
Restrictions on Consumption Locations
The bill limits where cannabis can be consumed, making it harder for users to enjoy cannabis in private or social settings. This contrasts with alcohol, which faces fewer consumption restrictions.
Landlord Rights to Evict
Landlords gain the ability to evict tenants who consume cannabis on their property. This threatens housing security for cannabis users and adds another layer of risk for those legally using cannabis.
Transportation Limits
Ohio Senate Bill 56:restricts how cannabis can be transported, complicating the process for consumers who want to carry their products between locations legally.
Record Expungement Barriers
The bill lowers the amount of cannabis that qualifies for expungement, making it harder for people with past cannabis convictions to clear their records. This undermines efforts to address past injustices related to cannabis laws.
Impact on Small Businesses and Social Equity
One of the most concerning aspects of S.B. 56 is how it affects small businesses and social equity initiatives:
Elimination of Tier 3 Licensing
The bill removes the opportunity for Tier 3 licensing, which was designed to support smaller cannabis businesses. Without this tier, only larger companies can compete, pushing out smaller entrepreneurs.
Threat to Cannabis Accessory Sellers
Many companies that sell cannabis accessories face potential closure, especially with a looming federal hemp ban. This ban could prevent places from selling seeds and other products essential to the cannabis community.
Social Equity Setbacks
Ohio voters supported cannabis legalization with hopes of creating fair opportunities for communities disproportionately affected by past cannabis laws. S.B. 56 undermines these goals by limiting social equity programs and favoring established businesses.
Political Landscape and Future Outlook
The bill passed with a Republican majority controlling the Ohio legislature. While Democrats in the Senate voted against it, some Democrats in the House supported the bill, showing a divided stance on cannabis regulation.
Governor Mike DeWine has the option to veto the bill entirely or parts of it. However, the legislature can override his veto, which means the bill could still become law despite opposition.
If signed, S.B. 56 will take effect 90 days after the governor’s signature. The coming months will be critical for advocates and consumers to understand the full impact of these changes and organize responses.
What This Means for Ohio’s Cannabis Community
The passage of Ohio Senate Bill 56 signals a shift away from the more open cannabis policies Ohio voters supported. Consumers will face more hurdles in using and transporting cannabis, and small businesses will struggle to compete under the new rules.
This law prioritizes concerns about youth and cannabis over the realities of adult use and the economic potential of a fair cannabis market. It also creates new risks for tenants and consumers, who may lose housing or face legal complications due to stricter rules.
Advocates will need to educate the public about these changes and push for reforms that restore protections and opportunities for all Ohioans.
Key Takeaways
Ohio Senate Bill 56 adds new restrictions on cannabis use, transport, and packaging.
The bill removes protections for consumers and limits social equity and small business opportunities.
Landlords can evict tenants for cannabis consumption, increasing housing insecurity.
The governor can veto the bill, but the legislature may override the veto.
The cannabis community will feel the impact once the law takes effect 90 days after signing.
Ohio’s cannabis consumers and small businesses face a challenging road ahead. Staying informed and engaged will be essential to protect rights and promote fair policies in the future.
Watch the final committee hearing here
Watch Final Senate Vote
 Mastamynd is the founder of Ohio Cannabis Live, one of Ohio’s leading independent cannabis news and education platforms. Since 2019, he has produced more than a thousand videos, reached millions of viewers, and built a trusted reputation for breaking down Ohio’s cannabis laws in a way that everyday people can understand. As a patient, advocate, and event organizer, he has been on the front lines of Ohio’s cannabis movement from the beginning.