Petition approved in effort to repeal Ohio’s cannabis laws

OG article by Jesse Bethea

February 13, 2026

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has approved a petition summary from Ohioans For Cannabis Choice, advancing efforts to repeal Senate Bill 56, which modified the state's voter-approved adult-use cannabis program. The group aims to place a referendum on the November ballot to block the law, which they argue contradicts the 2023 Issue 2 initiative that legalized cannabis.

If the campaign collects nearly 250,000 valid signatures by March 19, enforcement of S.B. 56 would pause until voters decide. Supporters claim the bill grants monopolies to select dispensaries and restricts access. Critics, including some marijuana advocates and Senate President Rob McColley, allege the repeal is backed by the intoxicating hemp industry rather than cannabis stakeholders.

S.B. 56 also bans certain intoxicating hemp products, aligning with recent federal actions. Repeal advocates emphasize regulating both cannabis and hemp responsibly and are confident in gathering signatures with paid and volunteer teams.

The effort highlights ongoing tensions in implementing voter-approved cannabis legalization amid legislative adjustments.