Ohio cannabis advocates launch referendum effort challenging new hemp and marijuana law

OG article by Doug Petcash

December 30, 2025

Ohio cannabis advocates are launching a referendum to challenge a new state law that restricts intoxicating hemp products and modifies recreational marijuana rules. Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 56, banning sales of such hemp items outside dispensaries and limiting home cultivation to six plants per person. The law also prohibits importing marijuana from other states. Advocates from Ohioans for Cannabis Choice argue this defies voter-approved Issue 2 from 2023, which legalized recreational use. They filed an initial petition and aim to collect 250,000 signatures for a 2026 ballot measure. Business owners like Michael Capace of Pilot Canning worry about impacts on THC beverages. Supporters of the bill, including the Ohio Cannabis Coalition, praise it for closing unregulated markets and prioritizing public safety. The referendum could halt the law if successful.