On November 6, 2024, Ohio Senator Stephen Huffman introduced Senate Bill 326 (Bill). With a short title of “Prohibit the sale of intoxicating hemp products”, the Bill’s aim is to do exactly that.
As introduced, “intoxicating hemp product” is defined to mean: “a hemp product containing more than five-tenths of a milligram of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol per serving, two milligrams of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol per package, or five-tenths of a milligram of total non-delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol per package.”
Further, “total non-delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol” means “the sum, after the application of any necessary conversion factor, of the percentage by weight of tetrahydrocannabinol, other than delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, and the percentage by weight of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid.”
The Bill continues by stating: “No person shall sell an intoxicating hemp product in this state.”
For reference, “sell” means “the exchange, barter, gift, offer for sale, and sale of an intoxicating hemp product.”
In essence, this bill would kill Ohio’s entire hemp-derived products industry. Given the state’s struggling medical and adult-use marijuana industries and the commonly used “intoxicating hemp product” language, it’s not that difficult to see who’s behind this Bill.
Large corporate marijuana interests are striking back after numerous marijuana ballot initiatives failed on November 5th. Based on the timing and initial text of the Bill it appears as if hemp in Ohio might be in the crosshairs of big marijuana.
Ohio hemp industry participants need to mobilize and voice their dissatisfaction with the Bill. You can track the status of the Bill here, and make your voice heard by reaching out to your senators. Find your Ohio Senate members here.
