Bars and breweries across Ohio are rushing to clear their shelves of hemp THC-infused beverages before a statewide ban takes effect Friday, according to Cincinnati-based Fox affiliate WXIX.
Signed into law in December, state Senate Bill 56 made sweeping changes to Ohio’s cannabis and hemp laws, including restricting sales of popular hemp-derived THC products to state-licensed cannabis retailers by March 20.
That’s satisfying licensed cannabis retailers in Ohio’s $1 billion market, but it means the end of a welcome and growing revenue stream for traditional hospitality businesses and liquor retailers that embraced hemp-derived THC drinks.
The national market for hemp THC beverages is an estimated $1 billion. Overall, hemp products are an estimated $2 billion market in Ohio alone, state advocates have claimed.
In Ohio, hemp THC drinks were accounting for as much as 25% of bars and restaurants’ revenue, Kira Hinkle, marketing and event organizer at Cappy’s Taproom, told WXIX.
But now, “it’s all going to leave the store,” she told the station. Last call for hemp THC drinks is Thursday, she said.
Hemp THC beverages disappear thanks to state ban
Lawmakers originally included a provision in SB 56 to allow non-cannabis businesses to continue to sell low-dose THC beverages through the end of 2026.
However, Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed the measure, citing public safety concerns and a redefinition of hemp under federal law that promises to ban hemp-derived THC products, including beverages, in November.
Hemp companies mounted a last-ditch effort to overturn the bill via the ballot, but had until Thursday to collect 250,000 signatures.
No citizen-led referendum has passed in Ohio since 2011.
Separately, Ohio brewers sued the state earlier this month in an attempt to ward off the ban. That lawsuit is still pending.
States crack down on hemp THC ahead of federal ban
Ohio retailers ridding their shelves of hemp-derived THC beverages is the latest example of states taking enforcement action ahead of a scheduled change in federal law.
It’s been openly questioned whether federal authorities have the will or resources to enforce the new federal definition of hemp signed into law by President Donald Trump in November.
But states appear to be taking the feds’ lead – and doing the work for them.
In Texas, state regulators have banned smokeable THCA flower. And in Rhode Island, state marijuana regulators recommended that establishments selling alcohol be barred from selling hemp THC drinks.
