News Summary
Governor Mike DeWine’s executive order banning intoxicating hemp products has faced immediate legal challenges from three local companies. The ban, effective October 14, limits THC content in hemp products, including beverages and gummies. The companies argue the ban oversteps legal boundaries and could cause significant financial loss. Legal actions continue as they seek to block enforcement, highlighting ongoing legislative discussions regarding hemp regulation in Ohio.
Cleveland, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s recent executive order banning the sale of intoxicating hemp products has sparked legal action from three local companies. The ban, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on October 14, prohibits products that contain more than 0.5 mg of THC per serving or exceed 2 mg of THC per package. This includes items such as THC-infused beverages and gummies.
The lawsuit was filed immediately after the executive order by Titan Logistics Group, Invicta Nutraceuticals, and Fumee Smoke & Vape. The companies argue that Governor DeWine has overstepped his legal authority and seek a court order to block the enforcement of the ban. They claim their products comply with existing federal and state laws and contest the introduction of the term “intoxicating hemp,” which they argue is not defined in Ohio law.
Ohio is home to approximately 4,000 businesses that sell hemp-derived products that would be prohibited under the new ban. Titan Logistics has estimated a loss of $2.4 million in inventory and more than $1 million in sales if the ban is enforced. Fumee Smoke & Vape anticipates losing around $30,000 in monthly sales and potentially laying off half of its staff.
The state judge overseeing the case had yet to rule on the requested temporary restraining order as of Monday afternoon, meaning the ban could proceed as scheduled. Should it go into effect, retailers, including liquor stores and gas stations, would be required to remove intoxicating hemp products from their shelves or incur daily fines.
Governor DeWine’s office has defended the executive order, asserting that he possesses the legal authority to implement the ban as an emergency public health measure. The state cites growing safety concerns about youth access to these products as justification for the ban. Data indicates a concerning rise in THC exposure cases among youth, with reported incidents jumping from 419 in 2021 to 994 in 2024.
In conjunction with the lawsuit by the hemp companies, the Ohio Healthy Alternatives Association has also filed legal action against the ban, alleging it creates chaos and restricts consumer access to legally available products.
Meanwhile, the Ohio Legislature is currently deliberating two bills that address the regulation of hemp-derived THC products. Senate Bill 56 proposes that sales be restricted to licensed dispensaries, while House Bill 198 seeks to maintain current sales practices but implement stricter regulations, including age restrictions for purchasers.
A hearing concerning one of the lawsuits is scheduled for December 3, which could determine the future of the ban and its implications for retailers and consumers across Ohio.
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HERE Resources
Cleveland’s Convention Business Hit Hard by Proposed Ohio Laws
Additional Resources
- The Columbus Dispatch
- Google Search: Ohio THC ban 2025
- WLWT
- Google Scholar: Ohio hemp products ban
- News 5 Cleveland
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hemp
- Cannabis Business Times
- Google News: Ohio hemp ban
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CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
