Ohio Lawmakers Advance Senate Bill 56: What It Means for Marijuana, Hemp & CBD Businesses in 2025

Key Takeaways

• Public use: Smoking/vaping marijuana would be limited to private residences (no public consumption).
• Out-of-state purchases: Possession of cannabis bought outside Ohio would be prohibited.
• THC caps & rules: Caps for certain products; “intoxicating hemp” (e.g., Delta-8) restricted to licensed stores with testing and labeling.
• CBD remains legal: Non-intoxicating CBD products are not targeted by the bill.
• Hemp beverages: Low-THC seltzers remain available to bars/restaurants; new excise tax is proposed for intoxicating hemp beverages.

What’s in the Re-Bill (SB 56)?

Public consumption: Bans smoking or vaping marijuana in public; private property is permitted (subject to landlord or HOA rules).

Out-of-state product ban: Bars possession of marijuana purchased from out-of-state dispensaries, aligning with Ohio’s licensed market.

Intoxicating hemp framework: Requires intoxicating hemp products (e.g., Delta-8/Delta-10/THCP) to be sold only through licensed outlets with age-gating, testing, packaging, and a per-gallon tax on beverages.

CBD is unaffected: Non-intoxicating CBD remains legal; standard hemp CBD tinctures, topicals, and pet CBD are still allowed when compliant with labeling/testing rules.

Where the Bill Stands & Timing

1. House passed: The Ohio House advanced SB 56 with revisions.
2. Back to Senate: The Senate must concur (approve or reject House changes).
3. Governor review: If concurred, the bill goes to Gov. DeWine for signature; agency rulemaking/enforcement would roll out after effective dates.

Separately, a temporary executive order aimed at banning sales of intoxicating hemp was paused by a Franklin County judge, leaving such sales temporarily legal pending a December hearing. This has created short-term uncertainty for shops and distributors.

What This Means for Consumers & Retailers

Consumers

• Clarity & safety: Expect clearer labeling, age checks, and tested products for intoxicating hemp.
• Know your product: “Full-spectrum” CBD can include trace THC—important for drug-tested workplaces.
• Shopping guidance: Buy from reputable Ohio retailers that post batch-level COAs and serve sizes.

Retailers

• Compliance moat: Prepare for age-gating, new warning labels, child-resistant packaging, and testing documentation—these will differentiate legit shops from non-compliant competitors.
• SKU planning: Maintain “zero detectable THC” CBD SKUs for sensitive customers; reformulate intoxicating hemp items to match caps/testing as rules finalize.
• Pricing & tax: Budget for the proposed beverage excise; align POS/ledger and inventory to new categories (CBD vs. intoxicating hemp vs. marijuana).

What Ohioans Are Saying (Message Boards & Comments)

• Pro-safety: “Gas stations shouldn’t sell mystery Delta-8 as ‘CBD’.”
• Voter-intent concerns: “We approved legal cannabis—stop moving the goalposts.”
• Small-biz worries: “We support testing and age checks, but don’t crush compliant mom-and-pop shops.”
• Medical use nuance: “Low-dose hemp THC helps me sleep. Please don’t ban everything.”

Overall sentiment: split. Many welcome safety and child-marketing bans; others fear overreach, higher costs, and confusion between CBD and intoxicating hemp.

How to Shop Smart in Ohio Right Now

1. Verify COAs: Scan QR codes for third-party lab results, cannabinoid profile, and contaminant screens.
2. Check potency & serving: Know mg/serving (especially beverages and gummies). Start low, go slow.
3. Buy from specialists: Choose retailers trained on hemp/cannabis compliance.
4. Keep receipts/packaging: If traveling, keep original packaging and proof of purchase from Ohio retailers.

Ohio Marijuana & CBD Re-Bill: Quick FAQ

Does SB 56 ban CBD?

No. Non-intoxicating CBD products are not the target of this bill.

What happens to Delta-8 and other intoxicating hemp?

Sales would be limited to licensed outlets with age-gating, testing, packaging, and taxes. Details finalize if/when SB 56 is signed and rules are adopted.

Is public smoking or vaping marijuana still allowed?

No—SB 56 would restrict it to private residences.

Can I bring products from another state?

No—possession of out-of-state marijuana would be prohibited.

Are hemp drinks banned?

No—low-THC beverages remain available to bars/restaurants; a new excise tax is contemplated.

Disclaimer

This article is for information only and not legal advice. Laws change quickly; consult state resources or counsel to confirm current rules in your jurisdiction.