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Ohio judge rules hemp sales can continue
- Published: November 10, 2025
The statewide sale of “intoxicating hemp” products can continue for at least another month, a Columbus judge ruled.
On Monday, Oct. 27, Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Carl Aveni again hampered Gov. Mike DeWine’s attempts to ban the sale of hemp products, allowing retailers to continue selling those products until at least Dec. 2.
Earlier this month, DeWine declared an adulterated consumer product emergency for consumable items containing intoxicating hemp — products derived from hemp plants that contain enough tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, to cause psychoactive effects.
In an Oct. 8 press conference announcing that executive order, DeWine said he sought to “get these products off the streets and to have them taken off our shelves … to better protect our children.” His ban was set to begin Oct. 14, but was swiftly blocked by Judge Aveni for two weeks, and now, another month.
As the News reported earlier last month, DeWine’s executive order — had it taken effect — would have significantly impacted the business of several downtown Yellow Springs retailers of hemp products. The businesses Tweedle D’s and The Joynt told the News hemp sales account for about 60% of their revenue.
The continuation of Judge Aveni’s block on DeWine’s executive order came about a week after the Ohio House of Representatives passed a bill that aims to clarify statewide cannabis regulations, promote public safety and amend the rules around selling intoxicating hemp.
According to the House’s website, Senate Bill 56 “opens the door for a pathway to selling safe, Ohio-grown hemp in limited locations,” and:
• Prohibits the sale of intoxicating hemp products (not including beverages) except through a licensed, regulated hemp dispensary;
• Ensures intoxicating hemp products are subject to appropriate safety testing and product standards; as well as the same potency, advertising and packaging restrictions that apply to adult-use marijuana;
• And effectively outlaws the current loophole that makes hemp products available to children at smoke shops and gas stations by ensuring no establishment that permits entry to persons under 21 shall be permitted to sell an intoxicating hemp product.
The bill, which is now headed back to the Ohio Senate for review, also aims to prohibit smoking or vaping anywhere except a private residence, as well as bars the possession of cannabis from dispensaries outside of Ohio. The bill allows retailers, bars and breweries to sell THC drinks.
To read more about Senate Bill 56, go to http://www.bit.ly/4ox4woc.
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