The battleground over cannabis laws in Ohio heats up as Ohioans for Cannabis Choice spearheads a referendum to challenge Senate Bill 56, which imposes new restrictions on cannabis-related products, including a ban on low-level THC products sold outside dispensaries. According to a report by ABC6, the group has filed signatures for a referendum on the recent legislation, which also slaps penalties on unauthorized paraphernalia and transporting marijuana across state lines.
The new law, signed by Governor Mike DeWine, prompted an outcry from both business owners and workers within the cannabis industry. WKYC shared comments from Michael Capace, founder of Pilot Canning, who critiqued the law for drastically limiting creativity and consumer choice within the THC beverage sector, which makes up a significant portion of his business. Reflecting on the referendum's goals, Dennis Willard spoke of defying "the will of the voters of Ohio," who in 2023 voiced their support for legalized recreational cannabis.
Amid concerns over the potential closure of approximately 6,000 small businesses and the consequent job losses, advocates argue that the new legislation represents an overextension of governmental power. Wesley Bryant, owner of 420 Craft Beverages and one of the lead petitioners, articulated the sentiment shared by many in his field when he told The Columbus Dispatch, "We're saying no to SB 56 because it re-criminalizes the cannabis industry."
To launch the referendum, Ohioans for Cannabis Choice must first garner a minimum of 1,000 signatures, after which they face the task of collecting an additional 248,092 signatures to secure a spot on the November 2026 ballot. The fledgling campaign mirrors past efforts like the 2019 attempt to put House Bill 6 up for a statewide vote—a measure that ultimately failed to meet signature requirements. The outcome of this current mobilization remains uncertain, with the Ohio Healthy Alternatives Association expressing confidence that voters will back local businesses in their right to provide regulated hemp products.
