Gov. DeWine tells marijuana advocates to stop ‘whining’ about new restrictions amid repeal effort

OG article by Morgan Trau

February 11, 2026

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine dismissed complaints from marijuana advocates about new restrictions in Senate Bill 56, telling them to stop "whining" and accept the changes as aligning with voter intent from Issue 2's 2023 legalization approval. The GOP-backed law imposes public smoking bans, prohibits marijuana in vehicles, allows landlords to restrict use, bans outdoor venues, criminalizes open containers, removes certain discrimination protections, and prohibits out-of-state purchases. It also bans intoxicating hemp products, threatening 6,000 businesses and $1 billion in economic activity. Advocates like Scotty Hunter from Urban Artifact are collecting signatures for a 2026 referendum to repeal parts of the law, citing harm to small businesses and personal freedoms. The regulated cannabis industry, via the Ohio Cannabis Coalition's Adrienne Robbins, opposes the repeal, prioritizing safety and investment over unregulated hemp sales. Despite industry resistance, some consumers and dispensaries support the effort. DeWine defended the bill as reasonable regulation, while critics argue it undermines voter choice in an initiated statute vulnerable to legislative changes.