Massive overhaul to Ohio cannabis laws on the way after group fails to stop SB 56

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Ohioans for Cannabis Choice officially announced they failed to get 250,000 signatures that would have helped put Senate Bill 56, a massive marijuana law overhaul, on hold. With the signatures not reached, changes to marijuana laws will now go into effect on March 20.

Senate Bill 56, which was passed last year, will eliminate intoxicating hemp products and place additional restrictions on marijuana. Hemp beverages would also be removed from shelves statewide, including at breweries.

Those against SB 56 believe it will lead to thousands of businesses closing as a result. Those for it believe stricter regulations are needed.

Ohioans for Cannabis Choice were working on a petition that would have forced a November general election vote on SB 56. That petition required 250,000, which the group says they did not reach.

“We want to thank the more than 5,000 Ohioans and businesses who volunteered their time and sweat to try to collect the signatures needed to put SB 56 before voters. Unfortunately, we were not able to overcome a truncated time period to give voters the chance to say no to government overreach. This doesn’t change the reality that marijuana will be re-criminalized in Ohio, businesses will close, workers will lose their jobs, and consumers will be denied their right to products they should be able to purchase.”

Ohioans for Cannabis Choice did not say how many signatures they did get, but said they believe SB 56 is a backwards step.

“Voters overwhelmingly supported legalizing cannabis in 2023. It only makes sense that Gov. DeWine and state lawmakers should go back and ask those voters if they want to ban hemp and re-criminalize marijuana. We know, and our elected leaders know, the answer would be a resounding no.”

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