Senate Bill 56 Advances to Senate from Ohio Legislative Conference Committee

The verdict is in on hemp in Ohio. After going through the House and Senate in the Buckeye State, Senate Bill 56 (SB 56) was sent to a legislative conference committee where members voted to approve, as well as advance a “negotiated” version of the bill (1,2). The new version brings new updates to the voter-approved adult-use cannabis legalization legislation.

According to NORML, the bill that was led by Republicans states 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, “It also repeals provisions that currently protect adult-use consumers from facing either workplace or professional disciplinary action, as well as other forms of discrimination based solely upon their private marijuana use. It imposes new arbitrary limits on the percentages of THC permitted in adult-use and medical cannabis concentrates and it caps the total number of retail licenses permitted statewide.”

Senate Bill 56 (3) would limit the sale of some hemp-derived products so that they can only be purchased from state-licensed dispensaries, establish a path for individuals who are interested in expunging prior cannabis-related convictions, specify that adults can consume cannabis legally within their private property, as well as redirect a portion of tax revenues stemming from cannabis transactions that would go to individual municipalities that license cannabis retailers (2).

Ohio’s voter-approved cannabis legalization law was approved by 57% of state voters in 2023 (2).

Prior to the bill heading to the legislative conference committee, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley expressed that, “I think it’s abundantly clear we need a regulatory structure around hemp and intoxicating hemp products.” McColley added (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 (1). “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 (1).

“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 (1). “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.”

Senate Bill 56 will now be heading towards a final vote in the Senate. It approved, the bill will then be directed to Governor Mike DeWine’s desk, where it would then become official legislation and be signed into law.

References

1. Colli, M. Ohio Senate sends SB 56 bill to Conference Committee https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/ohio-senate-sends-sb-56-bill-to-conference-committee (accessed Nov 24, 2025).
2. Norml. Ohio advances bill repealing key provisions of Marijuana Legalization Law https://norml.org/news/2025/11/20/ohio-legislative-conference-committee-advances-bill-repealing-key-provisions-of-voter-approved-marijuana-law/ (accessed Nov 24, 2025).
3. Senate Bill 56 https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb56 (accessed Nov 24, 2025).