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.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) last week introduced one bill this would allow local breweries to partner with licensed medical cannabis producers to produce cannabis-infused beverages.

“This is an opportunity to support two local industries and keep business in DC. We have fantastic local producers and distillers in our city, we have a strong medical cannabis market, and this is a new opportunity for these two markets to collaborate and create a safe, smoke-free alternative for patients in DC.” – Bowser in one press release

The proposal would also allow a license approval for breweries and distilleries to produce cannabis-infused products, and an approval for medical cannabis producers to import non-intoxicating cannabinoids for use in production.

Under the plan, all products would undergo mandatory tests and be alcohol-free. The products will only be sold in licensed dispensaries and will only be available to registered medical cannabis patients.

In a statement, Fred Moosally, director of the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, said the proposal “makes sense.”

“Providing a legal path for our local breweries and distilleries to use their beverage expertise is the next logical step in maturing DC’s medical cannabis market and supporting our local business ecosystem,” he said.

According to the legislation fact sheetbeverages would be subject to a 6% sales tax, which would be deposited into the County General Fund.

The South Carolina Senate last week voted to approve new restrictions on consumable hemp products, WOW reports.

the proposal, H.3924originated in the House of Representatives, but state senators have added some changes this session and finally passed the bill 35-4 on third reading.

Currently, the proposed framework closely resembles state alcohol regulations, allowing the sale of 12-ounce drinks containing between 1 and 5 milligrams of THC in grocery and convenience stores. Liquor stores will be allowed to sell larger and stronger drinks, as well as hemp-infused rubber products. The sale of hemp to individuals under the age of 21 would be banned.

Lawmakers also amended the bill to allow THC consumption in the country with “the most conservative law in the country,” according to supporters. The rules include a two-drink cap on THC-infused drinks within 24 hours, the report said, and patrons will not be allowed to order alcohol and cannabis at the same function.

If the rules are approved, retailers will be allowed to continue selling their current stock of hemp products until November 12, 2026, which is when new federal legislation to ban THC hemp products takes effect. set to enter into force.

Lawmakers also added a provision to ban sales of intoxicating hemp products on Sunday, mirroring state alcohol regulations.

The amended bill now returns to the House for consideration.