COLUMBUS, Ohio (WLIO) — A group is working to overturn a law that affects the sale of intoxicating hemp products in Ohio.
Senate Bill 56, signed into law in December, takes effect March 20. The law changes several aspects of Ohio’s marijuana regulations, including sending 64% of tax revenue to the state’s general fund and capping the number of dispensary licenses at 400. It also bans the sale of intoxicating hemp products outside licensed dispensaries. Ohioans for Cannabis Choice must gather nearly 250,000 signatures by mid-March to temporarily block the ban from taking effect.
Ohio Senate President Rob McColley explained the rationale for the ban.
“Keep in mind, many of these products were being sold to children under the age of 18, and packages that were clearly marketed for those children. And we have no idea where these came from. We don't know if they've ever been tested. We don't really even know what's in these products, and they're literally poisoning our kids, in some cases, across the state of Ohio, and so we felt as a state that we needed to step in on behalf of our young people and on behalf of our families and do something about it,” McColley said.
If Ohioans for Cannabis Choice collects enough valid signatures, SB 56 will be put on hold and the decision will be left to voters in November.
