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Ohio Attorney General Approves Referendum To Reverse Marijuana And Hemp Restrictions

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2 months ago

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Ohio’s attorney general has accepted a recent submission a referendum petition to block parts of a restrictive marijuana and hemp law He said it was “misleading” to go into effect after rejecting an initial version.

“After careful review of this submission, I conclude that the title and summary are a fair and true statement of the proposed measure,” Attorney General Dave Yost (R) wrote in a letter to the petitioners on Wednesday.

“My certification of the title and abstract … should not be construed as an endorsement of the enforceability and constitutionality of the referendum petition,” he said. “My role, as executed here, is to determine whether the wording of the title and summary adequately advises the material components of a measure.”

The Ohioan-led referendum for Cannabis Choice wants it that way repealing key components of the bill the governor recently signed it Reduce the state’s voter-approved marijuana law and prohibit the sale of consumable hemp products outside of licensed cannabis dispensaries.

Yost said last month that an initial submission from the group contained “omissions and errors that would generally mislead a potential signer about the scope and effects of SB 56.” Then they presented an updated version.

Now the latest version of the band the proposal it has been accepted attorney general, efforts can begin to collect a total of around 250,000 signatures for the vote.

The office of Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and a senator who led the charge to pass SB 56 have had it He criticized the cannabis referendum campaign.

In essence, the proposed referendum would repeal the first three sections of the controversial bill DeWine signed into law in December, which he says is intended to combat the unregulated intoxicating hemp market. But the legislation would do more than limit the sale of cannabinoid products to dispensaries.

The law also criminalizes certain marijuana activities that were legalized under the 2023 ballot initiative, and would also remove anti-discrimination protections for cannabis users that were established under that law.

The governor also used his line veto powers to cancel a section of the bill that would have delayed the implementation of the hemp beverage ban.

Advocates and stakeholders vehemently protested the current legislation, arguing that it undermines the will of voters who approved cannabis legalization and would effectively wipe out the state’s hemp industry, as there is little hope that adults will choose hemp-based products over marijuana when they visit a dispensary.

The rejection spurred the newly introduced referendum, but the road to successfully blocking the law is narrow.

If activists reach the signature threshold by the deadline, which coincides with the same day the restrictive law goes into effect, SB 56 would not be enacted until voters have a chance to decide on the issue on the ballot.

A summary of the submitted referendum reads: “Sections 1, 2, and 3 of 56 Am. Sub. Sub. SB enact new provisions and amend and repeal existing provisions in the Ohio Revised Code relating to the regulation, criminalization, and taxation of cannabis products, such as the sale, use, possession, cultivation, licensing, classification, classification of marijuana, marijuana, and certain hemp products.”

“If the majority of voters vote not to approve Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Act, the approved amendments will not have any effect and the previous version of the affected laws will remain in force,” it says.

Advocates have expressed several concerns with the law, including that it would eliminate language in statutes that provide anti-discrimination protections to people who legally use cannabis. It includes safeguards against adverse action in the context of child custody rights, the ability to perform organ transplants, and professional licensing.

It would also recriminalize possession of marijuana from any source other than a state-licensed Ohio dispensary or possession of marijuana from a legal household. Because of this, people can be charged with a felony for carrying cannabis purchased from a legal Michigan store in the Michigan area.

It would also ban the smoking of cannabis in outdoor public places, such as bar patios, and ban landlords from vaping marijuana in rental properties. Violation of this latter policy, even if it involves vaping in a person’s backyard in a rental property, would be a misdemeanor offense.

The legislation would also replace what had been a regulatory framework for intoxicating hemp that the House passed with a broad ban on over-the-counter marijuana sales, following a recent federal move to recriminalize such products.

By law, hemp items containing more than 0.4 mg of total THC per container or containing synthetic cannabinoids cannot be sold outside of a licensed marijuana dispensary. That would be in line with the new federal hemp law included in an appropriations package signed by President Donald Trump.

The federal law banning most consumer hemp products has a one-year implementation window, however, and Ohio’s legislation appears likely to go into effect sooner. The Legislature approved a temporary hemp beverage regulatory program in Ohio until December 31, 2026, but the governor vetoed that provision.

The law also includes language that, if the federal government moves to legalize hemp with a higher THC content, the Ohio legislature intends to review that policy change and explore potential statewide reforms to regulate these products.

The bill’s signing came after DeWine issued emergency regulations banning the sale of hemp products for 90 dayswith instructions to the legislature to consider permanent regulations. It has been done by a county judge ordered the state to enforce that policy in response to a legal challenge.

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It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—

Meanwhile, in September, the Ohio Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) released rules for the state’s proposed marijuana legalization legislation, establishing plans to update regulations on labeling and packaging requirements.

Merchants of Ohio It sold more than $1 billion worth of legal marijuana products in 2025, according to data from the State Department of Commerce (DOC).

In March, a survey of 38 municipalities by the Ohio State University (OSU) Moritz School of Law found local leaders were “unequivocally opposed” to earlier proposals which would have cut planned funding..

Meanwhile, in Ohio, adults can buy more than double the amount of marijuana starting in June than were under previous limits, state officials determined that the market could sustainably supply patients and adult users of medical cannabis.

The governor announced his desire individually in March Marijuana tax revenue to support police training, local jails and behavioral health services. He said funding for police training was a top priority, even though it was not included when voters approved it in 2023.

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Critical updates for cannabis taxpayers as the 2025 filing deadline approaches

Published

7 hours ago

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April 5, 2026

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With the April 2025 tax return filing deadline fast approaching, cannabis companies must once again face the burden of Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 280E”). Despite significant developments over the past year — including a major executive order from President Trump and the IRS, for the first time, disclosing legal reasoning funds to keep state cannabis “within the meaning” of Section 280E — taxpayer scrutiny remains the same.

However, whether substantively or psychologically, these recent developments weigh on how taxpayers should deal with Section 280E. Below, we summarize the key developments that cannabis taxpayers should be aware of as they prepare their 2025 returns.

As discussed in previous publications, Section 280E provides: “(e) no deduction or credit shall be allowed for any amount paid or incurred in the course of any trade or business during the taxable year, if such trade or business (or the activities constituting such trade or business) is trafficking in controlled substances (controlled substance classes I and II prohibited by State or Federal law).

Because cannabis is now listed as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the IRS has consistently maintained that Section 280E applies to state-licensed cannabis businesses, significantly increasing their effective tax rates.

Read more at JD above










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Louisiana Senators Approve Bill To Allow Medical Marijuana Use In Hospitals For Terminally Ill Patients

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8 hours ago

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April 5, 2026

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A Louisiana Senate panel has advanced a bill to allow patients with terminal and irreversible conditions to use medical marijuana in hospitals.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the legislation, SB 270 (D) by Sen. Katrina Jackson-Andrews, with amendments, on a voice vote Wednesday.

“This bill was introduced at the request of voters who believe that therapeutic medical marijuana, which is already legal in this state, should be offered in hospitals when the terminally ill or otherwise need the comfort of this medicine,” Jackson-Andrews said before the vote.

Under the proposal, hospitals would have to create written policies to allow covered patients to consume medical cannabis in forms other than smoking or vaporizing it.

Under an amendment approved by the panel, emergency or outpatient departments would be exempt from the policy. The revised legislation also clarifies that patients and primary caregivers are responsible for obtaining and administering medical marijuana, which “must be securely stored at all times in a sealed container provided by the patient.”

Health care professionals and staff would be prohibited from “administering, storing, retrieving, or assisting a patient with medical marijuana.” the text he says

The amendment, which the proponent worked out with the help of the Louisiana Hospital Association, also allows hospitals to opt out of the policy if federal officials take action against any health care facility in the state regarding the use of medical cannabis, instead of allowing those specifically targeted to stop serving.

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—

Meanwhile, in Louisiana, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee passed a bill last week create a pilot psychedelic-assisted therapy program using opioid settlement dollars to fund clinical trials to develop alternative treatments such as psilocybin and ibogaine.

Lawmakers are also considering a bill creating a pilot program to legalize marijuana for adults in the state, in the end, to determine whether the reform should be expanded and permanently codified.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

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Cresco Labs gets Texas license

Published

1 day ago

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April 4, 2026

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Cresco Labs has obtained a Texas Compassionate Use Program License. It is a vertically integrated license that allows Cresco Labs to cultivate, process and distribute medical cannabis.

“Texas patients deserve access to consistent, quality medicine, and we’re excited. Our track record in medical markets reflects our ability to build strong programs that put patients and communities first,” said Charlie Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs. “Winning a license in Texas through a merit-based application demonstrates Cresco Labs’ deep regulatory expertise and thoughtful approach to meaningful local engagement. Organic licenses enable capital-efficient market entry, and our cash flow and balance sheet give us the financial flexibility to invest in and grow our scaled platform for the long term.”

This license advances Cresco Labs’ state-by-state growth strategy and ensures access to one of the largest patient populations in the United States. Texas is the nation’s second most populous state, approaching 30 million people, and continues to see ongoing legislative efforts to improve patient access and expand eligibility.










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