Ohio Senate Rejects Cannabis Bill 56 – All Senators Vote No on Changes to Marijuana and Hemp Laws

Ohio Senate Votes on SB56

All Senators Vote No on Changes to Marijuana and Hemp Laws

Hey everyone — some good news on a rainy day here in Ohio. The Ohio Senate just voted no on Senate Bill 56, the controversial amendment that tried to change Ohio’s hemp and cannabis laws.

If this bill had passed, it would have allowed businesses already selling intoxicating hemp products to apply for new “hemp dispensary” licenses, basically turning smoke shops into legal dispensaries with cheaper fees. But as one senator pointed out, the bill failed to close the THC loophole and didn’t fix major issues with child-attractive packaging.

It also would’ve added new criminal penalties for cannabis possession and transport, taken away unemployment protections for cannabis users, and added fines for things already covered under Issue 2. Even though the House approved it, the Senate said no — and not just barely. Every single senator, Republican and Democrat, voted against it.

That’s right — a rare unanimous vote (32-0) against Sub 56. Senators said the bill was “too heavily changed” and full of problems. Now lawmakers will have to go back to the table in a smaller working group, and that could take forever.

Watch the moment they all say no

So what do you think about this?

Should hemp dispensaries be allowed in Ohio — or should cannabis only be sold through licensed dispensaries? Please drop a comment below, and let’s talk about it.