beverages

Second Ohio Judge Orders Injunction Against Hemp Policy Changes

Published

2 months ago

April 20, 2026

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Second Ohio Judge Orders Injunction Against Hemp Policy Changes

A second Ohio judge last week granted a temporary restraining order to halt its implementation SB 56new state policy banning the sale of intoxicating hemp products, WCMH reports.

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Brown’s ruling supports the plaintiffs, Happy Harvest and Get Wright Lounge, in their lawsuit challenging the new policy. The lawsuit alleges that SB 56 violates federal law by classifying hemp-derived THC products as cannabis, not hemp, and by regulating them under the state’s adult-use cannabis program.

State Rep. Jennifer Gross (R), who supports overturning SB 56, told WCMH that the issue goes beyond the definitions of hemp versus cannabis products — that “It’s about whether the Ohio Constitution still means what it says.”

“When a conference committee can rewrite a bill overnight, remove provisions that gave it a majority, and then pass it without three readings or proper committee review, every Ohioan loses — no matter what side of the issue they’re on. I took an oath on the Constitution and I intend to uphold it.” – Gross, in the report

Brown’s ruling is the second ruling against SB 56 by a Sandusky County Common Pleas judge ruled in early April that the policy change is “inherently discriminatory,” ordering a stay on its implementation until a preliminary ruling is reached. The first ruling applies only to the plaintiffs in this case and only to specific local operations. Meanwhile, the Brown ruling applies nationwide, but affects only plaintiffs.

SB 56, which took effect March 31, also created new criminal penalties for the possession and consumption of cannabis products from out-of-state sources.

adult use

Federal Judge Approves Continued Hemp Beverage Sales In Ohio

Published

2 days ago

June 22, 2026

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Federal Judge Approves Continued Hemp Beverage Sales In Ohio

A federal judge ruled Monday in favor of 10 hemp beverage makers, allowing them to sell their intoxicating hemp products for 14 days. WCMH reports. The order by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Helmick, who sided with the businesses’ argument that the state’s hemp ban likely violates federal law, could be extended.

According to the decision, 420 Beverage, Your Highness, Opportunity, Saucy Seltzer, Appalachian Girls, Modern Distribution, Niche Beverage, The Hemp Collect, Slightly Elevated, Mellow Fellow and Muffins will be allowed to continue selling their products in the state for two weeks.

This is the third judge to rule against the state’s ban on hemp-derived THC. In April, Judge Jeremiah S. Ray called prohibition “inherently discriminatory” in its ruling in favor of Seattle, Washington-based THC drink maker North Fork, maker of Cycling Frog. That same month, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Brown overlooked with Happy Harvest and Get Wright Lounge, which argued that the ban violates federal law by classifying hemp-derived THC products as cannabis, not hemp, and by regulating them under the state’s adult cannabis program.

While Helmick’s ruling may be delayed, on Nov. 12, new federal rules go into effect ban THC products derived from hemp. The law recriminalizes hemp-derived THC and redefines hemp as “grown for the use of the whole grain, oil, cake, nut, husk, or any other non-cannabinoid ingredient, derivative, mixture, preparation, or seed production” and “grown for the purpose of producing a hemp intended for plant consumption or other products intended for human consumption therefrom.” grown from seeds that do not exceed” 0.3% THC.

adult use

Target Adds Intoxicating Hemp Beverages to Stores in Florida, Texas, & Illinois

Published

1 month ago

May 13, 2026

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Target Adds Intoxicating Hemp Beverages to Stores in Florida, Texas, & Illinois

Target is adding THC-infused hemp drinks to its locations in Florida, Texas and Illinois. BevNet reports. The products will be available in more than 300 locations across three states – including all locations in Florida and Texas.

In Illinois, the products will be available in municipalities that allow the sale of intoxicating hemp products.

A spokesperson for the retail giant told BevNet that the company is “always exploring new ways to meet … evolving guest preferences, based on … merchandising authority and focus on carefully thought-out curation of a relevant assortment.”

last year, The objective was announced would sell hemp liquor at 10 locations in Minnesota. That pilot included the Birdie, Cann, Gigli, Hi Seltzer, Indeed, Señorita, Stigma, Surly, Trail Magic, Wonder, Wyld and Wynk brands. According to BevNet, Target last month received approval from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management to sell lower-potency hemp products in 72 additional stores next year.

According to the report, some of the brands from the Minnesota startup, including Cann, Wynk, Trail Magic, Stigma, Gigli, Señorita and Daizy’s, will be included in the three-state expansion.

While the October launch in Minnesota was initially limited to 5-milligram products, the company added 10-milligram varieties.

adult use

Ohio Judge Blocks State from Enforcing THC Beverage Ban

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2026

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Ohio Judge Blocks State from Enforcing THC Beverage Ban

An Ohio judge has blocked the state’s ban on hemp-based beverages from going into effect. Cleveland.com reports. In the limited ruling, Judge Jeremiah S. Ray called the ban “inherently discriminatory” because it treats similar products differently based on who sells them.

The lawsuit was filed by Seattle, Washington-based North Fork Distribution, which operates Cycling Frog, which asked the judge to stop Fremont police from enforcing the law.

The judge’s order blocks law enforcement officers and anyone working with them from taking action under the law and shields North Fork, along with the company’s affiliated businesses, from enforcement. The ruling currently only applies to plaintiffs.

A separate lawsuit filed March 30 by two hemp retailers is also making its way through the courts. This lawsuit claims that OHIO lawmakers broke the state’s “single subject rule” when they passed the ban. The rule says bills can only address one major issue.

Breweries have previously sued over the ban; however, the state Supreme Court threw out one of the cases while a Franklin County judge allowed the law to take effect in another. Activists also tried to challenge the law through a referendum, but did not gather enough signatures to put the issue to the voters.

TG joined Ganjapreneur in 2014 as a news writer and began hosting the Ganjapreneur podcast in 2016. He is based in upstate New York, where he also teaches media at a local university.
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