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Ohio Cannabis Industry Divided Over Referendum To Block Marijuana And Hemp Restrictions

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“The referendum effort is about putting profits from unregulated hemp and gas station weed sales over people.”

By Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal

Ohioans for Cannabis Choice can start collecting signatures to get one Referendum votes to block state voter-approved recreational marijuana law change. and ban intoxicating hemp products. But there are others in the industry who disagree with the new effort.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost this week approved a referendum that would repeal Ohio Senate Bill 56, which takes effect March 20. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed the bill into law on Dec. 19.

Yost’s approval comes after the language was initially rejected due to “omissions and misrepresentations,” but Cannabis Choice for Ohio made changes to the language and resubmitted the application.

“My certification … should not be construed as an endorsement of the enforceability and constitutionality of the referendum petition,” Yost wrote in the letter certifying the petition.

Ohioans voted to legalize marijuana in 2023, with recreational sales beginning in August 2024 and sales exceeding $836 million in 2025.

The new law will reduce THC levels in adult marijuana extracts from 90 percent to a maximum of 70 percent, limit THC levels in adult flower to 35 percent, and ban smoking in most public places.

Possession of marijuana outside of its original container is prohibited criminalizes bringing marijuana from another state into Ohio. The legislation also requires drivers to keep marijuana in the trunk of their car while driving.

The Ohio Cannabis Coalition opposes the potential referendum.

“SB 56 upholds the will of Ohio voters by maintaining a safe and regulated adult cannabis market while closing dangerous loopholes that allowed untested intoxicating hemp products and out-of-state marijuana to cross Ohio’s shelves,” said OHCANN Executive Director David Bowling.

Ohio marijuana customers won’t notice any changes under the new law, said Pete Nischt, vice president of compliance and communications for Klutch Cannabis, which has dispensaries in Northeast Ohio.

“The person entering the legal marijuana market in Ohio will see no difference after the effective date of (SB 56),” he said.

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the group behind Issue 2 on the 2023 ballot, also opposes the referendum attempt.

“SB 56 is a sensible improvement on Issue 2,” the coalition said in a statement. “SB 56 honors the will of Ohio voters while protecting public health. The referendum effort is about putting profits from unregulated hemp and gas station weed sales over people.”

Wesley Bryant, owner of 420 Craft Beverage in Cleveland, supports the referendum effort, calling the legislation “an assault on consumer rights.”

“Ohioans are buying these products because they relieve stress, help people sleep at night, provide relief to veterans with PTSD and help some people with addiction,” Bryant said in a statement. “SB 56 is evil and full of unintended consequences, and we will give voters the opportunity to say no to this harmful legislation.”

Joey Ellwood, a Tuscarawas County hemp farmer, called the law a government overreach.

“The people spoke in 2023 when they voted to legalize cannabis, and we’ll let them speak again in November by voting no on SB 56,” Ellwood said in a statement.

Cannabis Choice for Ohioans must collect 6 percent of the total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election (248,092) to get on the Nov. 3 ballot. The group will also need 3 percent of the participation of the governors of 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties.

Organizers will have 90 days from the date the governor submitted the bill to the secretary of state to collect the necessary signatures.

The last referendum passed in Ohio was in 2011 when voters overturned a law against collective bargaining.

This story was first published by the Ohio Capital Journal.

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High Profile Cannabis opens Its first Kentucky dispensary

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C3 Industries has opened a new medical cannabis dispensary in London, Kentucky. This marks the Company’s entry into the state and expands access to safe medical cannabis for registered patients in Laurel County and the surrounding southeastern Kentucky region.

Kentucky launched its medical cannabis program on January 1, 2025, and many residents are still navigating the certification process for the first time. High Profile London supports new and innovative cardholders with an expert team and a welcoming retail experience.

Located at 140 Faith Assembly Church Road, London, KY, High Profile London is a medical-only dispensary serving registered Kentucky patients 18 years of age and older with a qualifying condition. The store offers a curated selection of flowers, edibles, vapes, concentrates and accessories, along with in-store shopping and online ordering for added convenience.

“As our retail network expands into Kentucky, we are focused on opening doors to patients in markets where access is still new, and simplifying the patient process that can feel complicated,” said Ankur Rungta, CEO and co-founder of C3 Industries. “London is exactly the kind of community where High Profile can make a difference. Our team is working to remove the barriers that prevent patients from getting the care they need.”

© C3 Industries

The Kentucky Cannabis Industry Association (KCIA) is hosting weekly Patient Drives at High Profile London every Thursday in May from 12pm to 4pm to help qualified patients navigate the Kentucky cannabis certification process. At this event, patients can meet with independent practitioners to complete their certification and necessary paperwork in one appointment for a $25 fee. A separate state registration fee of $25 is also required. New patients and renewals are welcome. Tours will be adjusted as the schedule allows.

Easily accessible from I-75 and conveniently located in Laurel County, the dispensary provides convenient access for patients in southeastern Kentucky. Store hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Friday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., soon to be extended hours. Weekly patient trips, rotating promotions and daily deals are available on a convenient range of brands and products. Terms and conditions apply.

“At High Profile, the customer sits at the center of everything we do. Then we build the experience around them, with the right information, the right selection and the right price for every visit,” said Chris Melillo, Chief Retail Officer, C3 Industries. “Whether a patient is getting their first medical card or has been a cannabis patient for years, our job is to meet them where they are in their journey. That’s what we’re bringing to London, and we can’t wait to introduce ourselves to the community.”

For more information:
C3 Industries
www.c3industries.com

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Oklahoma Officials Say Medical Marijuana Businesses Must Register With Federal DEA To Avoid Punishment

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Oklahoma drug officials have issued guidelines requiring medical marijuana companies to register with the federal government to avoid penalties, including revocation of state registrations.

Donnie Anderson, director of the Oklahoma Office of Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Enforcement (OBNDD), said in a letter to cannabis industry stakeholders on Friday that they are under pressure. complete a new Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration form with that it was launched The Trump administration’s move to federally regulate cannabis.

Citing state law, he said “any registrant who is a distributor or manufacturer of medicinal marijuana products must comply with federal law and, as a result, must obtain DEA registration.”

“Failure to obtain DEA registration may result in OBNDD administrative penalties, including revocation of a registrant’s OBNDD registration,” the letter states. “This is consistent with the requirements currently in place for Schedule Ill registrants regulated by the OBNDD.”

“To ensure compliance with these federal regulations and to minimize the impact on legally operating entities, OBNDD will not consider OBNDD-registered medical marijuana businesses without a DEA registration required to manufacture or distribute marijuana until January 1, 2027. It is strongly recommended that all OBNDD registrants authorized to manufacture marijuana or medical marijuana licensed by OBNDD apply for or be required to register. April 28, 2026 Once After the publication of the permanent Order, upon timely submission of an application to the DEA, the registrant will not be subject to OBNDD administrative action, without DEA registration, to distribute marijuana, DEA applications submitted within sixty days will be distributed in any DEA case and products without DEA registration within the interim period These activities in violation of the Final Order may be subject to OBNDD administrative sanctions until a registrant’s OBNDD registration is revoked.

Anderson concluded by saying, “nothing contained in this letter is intended to be construed as legal advice regarding a registrant’s obligations under federal law or Oklahoma statutes.”

“This letter is simply being issued to inform medical marijuana companies of their administrative responsibilities,” he said. he wrote. “If there are additional questions regarding compliance with federal, state, or administrative law, the registrant should consult with an attorney.”

The Oklahoma Medical Marihuana Authority (OMMA), which licenses and regulates the state’s medical cannabis businesses, released the guidelines separately earlier this week. a recently litigated case of federal reorganization and reform.

“This is an evolving federal conversation, but our focus remains the same: protecting patient health and safety and responsibly regulating the industry,” said OMMA Executive Director Adria Berry. “These announcements have raised many questions, but very few answers. OMMA will continue to relay information released by the DEA and the federal government, but ultimately, we encourage licensees to seek professional advice as they make the best decisions for their business.”

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), meanwhile, recently suggested that lawmakers should pass one. measure on the ballot to roll back the state’s medical cannabis program. In his State of the State address in February, he said voters should “shut him down”, arguing that “liberal activists” had defrauded the state and “opened Pandora’s box”.

Legislative leaders have pushed back on that idea, however.

Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton (R), for example, initially expressed an open mind, but ultimately decided against it It would be “very difficult” to legalize and unfair to licensed cannabis operators who “invested their life savings into this program” and are “trying to do this for Oklahomans who need this product, not for recreation, but for real medicine.”

“It’s hard to undo that bell,” he said. “What I’m going to suggest to the governor is that we don’t ask questions about the situation, but we continue to push regulations (and) we continue to regulate the industry.”


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 a month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.


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So has House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R). he largely dismissed the possibility of overturning the state’s medical cannabis program. He said Oklahomans have already made a clear distinction: they support medical marijuana and are “very strong” against legalizing adult use, based on past election results.

Stitt is not, however, saying yes in a recent interview “He had great conversations with the House and the Senate.”

“They know it’s a problem. Oklahomans are calling our offices saying it’s a problem,” Stitt said. “So I think we’re going to give something back to the people.”

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) was asked about a call by voters to overhaul the state’s medical marijuana program, and He said he would “like” to eliminate the state’s medical marijuana program.

However, he warned that doing so would result in the return of hundreds of licensees participating in the market, as the state would “take away” a source of income from them.

In 2022, Stitt used his State of the State address as an opportunity to discuss the voter-approved medical marijuana law, arguing that the residents were deceived by the supporters of the voting initiative.

Meanwhile, in November, Oklahoma activists withdraw initiative to legalize adult marijuana They hoped to put it on the 2026 state ballot.

After a brief but aggressive signature push to secure ballot placement, Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) ultimately failed to submit petitions by the deadline, according to the secretary of state.

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GreenBe Pharma brings proven international genetics to European licensed grows

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Elicier Hernandez, CEO of GreenBe Pharma, says the varieties being tested in Canada and the US are not reaching licensed producers in Europe, and the reason is operational, not commercial.

“Genetics that are new to the market, not common in Europe, but already proven in Canada and the US, that’s what European operators are looking for,” he says. “The problem is that getting them in legally is complex. The regulatory pathways are not straightforward, and that’s why there’s a gap. New materials that work well elsewhere just don’t get here, and licensed growers end up growing the same varieties that everyone else is growing.”

Leveraging traditional farming expertise to serve cannabis
Phytosanitary requirements vary across European markets and change with some regularity. Plant material does not move freely across borders, and there is a heavy documentation burden at each stage of importation. The practical effect is that most licensed growers in Europe continue to work from a narrow genetic pool, rather than competing in execution, in varietal differentiation, while markets such as Canada and the US have advanced in terpene profiles, flower structure and cannabinoid content.

“We come from a large traditional farming background. We are part of a very large group that has been dealing with plant material for decades,” says Elicer. “We know how to do that within the regulations. And it’s not just about the legal paperwork. Phytosanitary requirements are a big part of it. When you’re doing nursery operations in millions of units a year, you develop the infrastructure and knowledge to move plant material properly.” In other words, GreenBe has all the proven and established legal means to bring non-European genetics into the EU market.

GreenBe is part of an agricultural group that distributes millions of certified plants to markets and species every year. This infrastructure applied to cannabis means the company has existing import protocols, established regulatory relationships and operational experience to meet phytosanitary compliance on a scale that most cannabis-specific operators have not built. Its nursery is subject to HLVd-free certification with full traceability from the mother plant to distribution.

The Mother Renewal Program is built on this infrastructure. It is aimed at two audiences: growers outside of Europe and varieties that have proven commercial performance in more mature markets, and licensed growers who wish to enter these varieties in Europe without having to undertake import compliance.

For more information:
GreenBe Pharma
www.greenbepharma.com










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