A new campaign is underway to challenge recent changes to Ohio’s cannabis laws, setting the stage for another statewide vote on cannabis policy. Ohioans for Cannabis Choice has launched a referendum effort aimed at overturning parts of Senate Bill 56, legislation that tightens rules around intoxicating hemp products and revises the recreational cannabis framework approved by voters in 2023.
If the effort succeeds, the question of whether to repeal portions of the law would appear on the statewide ballot next November. To reach the ballot, organizers must gather close to 250,000 valid signatures, a process that is already moving forward.
Supporters say the new law undermines what voters endorsed when they approved adult-use marijuana. Since that election, lawmakers have repeatedly revisited the cannabis statute, arguing that technical fixes and public safety concerns made revisions necessary. Critics counter that the legislature went far beyond clarification.
SB 56 establishes limits on cannabis potency, restricts smoking in many public areas, and creates penalties for consuming cannabis inside vehicles, whether someone is driving or riding along. It also bars residents from bringing legally purchased cannabis into Ohio from other states and sets criminal consequences for exceeding limits on home cultivation. Provisions protecting cannabis users from discrimination in housing, employment, and organ donation were also removed.
Under the new rules, hemp-derived products that cause intoxication would be allowed only within licensed marijuana dispensaries. Supporters of the change say it aligns Ohio law with updated federal standards.
Governor Mike DeWine has repeatedly criticized the spread of hemp-based edibles and beverages, especially products packaged to resemble familiar candy or snack brands. With his signature on SB 56, most of these products will be illegal come March.
While lawmakers initially included language allowing low-dose THC beverages to remain legal until federal rules change in 2026, DeWine removed that provision through a line-item veto, effectively ending their sale at the same time.
The referendum campaign began immediately after the bill became law, with initial paperwork and signatures filed within days. State officials now have limited time to verify signatures and review the petition language. If approved, organizers will have 90 days to gather the remaining signatures, including minimum thresholds in at least half of Ohio’s counties.
State Senator Steve Huffman, the bill’s sponsor, acknowledged frustration from some voters but said the legislation mainly clarified ambiguities. He cited homegrow limits as an example, arguing that lawmakers aligned the statute with what voters intended. Huffman also said lawmakers improved expungement procedures and worked to simplify licensing for businesses.
He questioned whether the referendum truly reflects voter concerns, suggesting opposition is largely driven by hemp industry interests. DeWine’s office echoed that view, saying the 2023 ballot measure did not guarantee the right to sell THC products in bars or convenience stores. While affirming the public’s right to pursue a referendum, administration officials argue the campaign’s claims do not fully match the language voters approved.
The broader marijuana industry, including established entities like Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB), will be keeping an eye on how the debate plays out and any regulatory changes that emerge in the state.
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