Ohio Senate Sends SB 56 Bill to Conference Committee

On October 29, 2025, the Ohio Senate met and ended up voting “unanimously not to concur with House changes to a bill that would add regulations to intoxicating hemp products,” as well as bring changes to the Buckeye State’s cannabis laws (1). Previously, SB 56 was voted on by the House and passed with adjustments that included adding in intoxicating hemp regulations (1,2).

“There’s so much in this bill that has changed from what we passed here, a lot of it not for the better,” said state Senator Bill DeMora (1).

The bill makes changes to the state’s current law. NORML reported that the new bill “stipulates that consumers cannot legally possess cannabis products sourced from out of state, including products legally purchased at licensed dispensaries in neighboring jurisdictions. No other legalization state imposes such restrictions,” (2). Additionally, the piece of legislation will repeal provisions that involve scaling back the protections of adult-use consumers from experiencing workplace professional disciplinary action, along with any other types of discrimination that could be experienced from utilizing cannabis for recreational purposes.

With the recent updates from the Senate, SB 56 will advance to a conference committee where it will be discussed over by a group of both Senators and House legislators (1).

“I think it’s abundantly clear we need a regulatory structure around hemp and intoxicating hemp products,” said Ohio Senate President Rob McColley (1). “We have some issues to work out, but I’m confident we can work those issues out.”

“It restricts consumers who home-cultivate cannabis from harvesting more than 2.5 ounces of total flower, and it imposes felony penalties for those who grow more than six plants at one time. It imposes new arbitrary limits on the percentages of THC permitted in adult-use and medical cannabis products and it caps the total number of retail licenses permitted statewide,” NORML reported (2). “Other provisions in the legislation create an expedited pathway for those seeking to expunge past marijuana-related convictions, regulate the sale of certain hemp-derived products, and redirect a portion of tax revenues from marijuana sales to individual municipalities that license cannabis retailers.”

“Lawmakers had years to craft legislation regulating Ohio’s adult-use marijuana market. They chose not to do so, instead leaving the decision up to the electorate. Legislators do not have the right to play Monday morning quarterback now simply because most Ohioans voted in a way they disapprove of,” NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano and Political Director Morgan Fox, published in The Columbus Dispatch, commented (2).

“NORML is asking all Ohioans who care about personal freedom and the rights of voters to urge the legislature to reject SB 56 in its current form,” said Fox in response to the House approving the intoxicating hemp bill (2). “This isn’t what Ohioans voted for, and the fact that this bill is being rushed through the legislature, with almost no opportunity for public comment, indicates that lawmakers know they are undermining the will of the voters. Regardless of where one stands on cannabis issues, everyone should be outraged at this.”

Ohio Hemp Ban Extended

According to Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Carl Aveni, the temporary restraining order regarding Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s executive order (3) which banned intoxicating hemp product sales, has been extended (4). The restraining order will be in effect until December 2, 2025.

Previously, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge had issued a 14-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) for the ban. On October 8, 2025, Governor Mike DeWine issued in a press release (3), his executive order that declared a ban on the sale of intoxicating hemp products.

“Intoxicating hemp products are known to have significant impacts on young, developing brains, yet these products are legally marketed to kids, sold to kids, and ingested by kids in Ohio,” said Governor DeWine in the press release (3). “When voters chose to legalize marijuana, they voted for a highly regulated market that only allows sales at licensed dispensaries to those 21 and older. Intoxicating hemp completely bypasses these laws, and we must do more to keep these products away from kids.”

The US Hemp Roundtable organization expressed in a recent press release (3), “We’re pleased to share that Judge Carl Aveni has granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking Governor Mike DeWine’s executive order banning the sale of “intoxicating hemp” products in Ohio. This means the Governor’s order we reported on last week is not in effect while the case proceeds. The TRO will remain in place for 14 days and may be extended by the Court or by agreement of the parties.”

References

1. Henry, M. Ohio bill that would add regulations to intoxicating hemp products heads to Conference Committee • Ohio Capital Journal https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/10/30/ohio-bill-that-would-add-regulations-to-intoxicating-hemp-products-heads-to-conference-committee/ (accessed Oct 30, 2025).
2. Colli, M. Ohio House lawmakers push major changes to voter-approved SB 56 cannabis law https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/ohio-house-lawmakers-push-major-changes-to-voter-approved-sb-56-cannabis-law (accessed Oct 29, 2025).
3. Colli, M. Ohio hemp ban stalled as judge extends restraining order against gov. DeWine’s executive order https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/ohio-hemp-ban-stalled-as-judge-extends-restraining-order-against-gov-dewine-s-executive-order (accessed Oct 30, 2025).
4. Henry, M. Court extends temporary pause on Ohio gov. Mike DeWine’s ban on intoxicating hemp products • Ohio Capital Journal https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/briefs/court-extends-temporary-pause-on-ohio-gov-mike-dewines-ban-on-intoxicating-hemp-products/ (accessed Oct 29, 2025).