Ohio Hemp and Cannabis Changes Take Effect This Week

Changes to Ohio’s hemp regulations and the state’s voter-approved adult-use cannabis reforms are set to take effect this week on Thursday, March 19.

Under the new rules, intoxicating hemp product sales are banned. The rules also create new THC caps of 70% for cannabis concentrate products and 35% for cannabis flower products, and establish new crimes for the possession of cannabis products from out-of-state sources. The rules will also require cannabis to be stored in its original packaging and stored in the trunk of vehicles during transit.

The changes, which Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed into law in December, prompted a ballot campaign to repeal the legislation.

Advocates with the campaign are scrambling to collect the 250,000 signatures required to qualify for the ballot before March 19, as that would postpone the rules’ implementation until after the electorate decides, Cleveland.com reports.

DeWine said in February that the advocates behind the repeal campaign should stop “whining” about lawmakers changing the voter-approved reforms.

The legislation originally included a carve-out for hemp THC-infused beverage products, but the governor line-item vetoed that provision.