Note: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not endorse or oppose any policies regarding hemp or cannabis products.
If you’ve noticed hemp-based products like delta-8 THC popping up at gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores, you’re not alone. Right now, Ohio has very few regulations on these intoxicating hemp products, but some lawmakers are looking to change that.
Wherever you happen to be, the information below makes it clear that anyone who wants to try cannabis should be even more cautious of anything sold outside of legal dispensaries. Delta-8 THC is similar to the normal, most prominent ingredient in cannabis, but it does not include the many, many other terpenes that give cannabis its distinctive effects aside from the “high.”
What’s in the New Bill?
Ohio state senators Steve Huffman and Shane Wilkin have introduced Senate Bill 86, which would:
- Limit sales of intoxicating hemp products to licensed marijuana dispensaries.
- Ban sales to anyone under 21.
- Require testing and packaging standards for these products.
- Impose a 15% tax on sales at dispensaries.
The goal is to bring hemp-derived intoxicating products under the same oversight as marijuana, preventing confusion among consumers and law enforcement.
Why Are Lawmakers Pushing for This?
Right now, hemp is federally legal if it contains less than 0.3% THC by weight, but newer hemp-derived products, like delta-8 THC, can be just as intoxicating as marijuana—sometimes even more so.
Some concerns raised by lawmakers:
- Lack of testing and regulation – Many hemp products are unregulated, meaning consumers might not know exactly what they’re getting.
- Marketing confusion – Some stores are branding themselves as “dispensaries” and selling these products alongside other cannabis-related items.
- Concerns about public health – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and other officials have warned that these unregulated products could pose risks.
What About Drinkable Hemp Products?
SB 86 would also allow for low-dose cannabinoid drinks to be sold in dispensaries, bars, restaurants, and craft breweries—similar to how alcohol is regulated. Manufacturers would pay a $3.50 per gallon excise tax, like the taxes placed on beer and liquor.
What Happens Next?
This isn’t the first time lawmakers have tried to regulate intoxicating hemp products in Ohio. A previous attempt to ban them entirely failed after business owners pushed back, arguing that they support regulation but not prohibition.
If passed, this bill would significantly change where and how hemp-derived THC products are sold in Ohio. For now, the debate continues.
What do you think? Should hemp products be regulated like marijuana? Let’s discuss!
