Ohio

Hemp Supporters scored a big victory in Ohio as efforts to pass legislation that would destroy the industry were stalled. SB 56, a bill that would move almost all hemp product sales to Ohio’s limited marijuana dispensaries, was marked for a vote in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday with plans to pass it before the legislature began its summer recess.  With your strong support, and the combined advocacy of the USHR and our retail and small business allies, we were able to stop that vote from taking place!  Further, the state’s operating budget was pending in a budget conference committee last night, and we were alerted to the possibility that the budget could be used as a vehicle to pass a hemp ban. We are happy to report that opposition remained strong, and no hemp product language was included in the final budget bill.
 
Thank you for all of your emails, calls, meetings, and testimony to keep retail access to hemp products alive in Ohio this year. Our fight isn’t over yet though. Legislative leaders indicate that they want to regroup and try to work on resolving differences in order to pass some type of marijuana and hemp-related bill in the fall. We must remain vigilant over the summer months in our efforts to educate lawmakers about the benefits of hemp products and the necessity of broad retail access, and we must be prepared for a renewed call to action in the fall.