DeWine Bans Intoxicating Hemp Sales Across Ohio, Business Owners React
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has issued a 90-day statewide ban on intoxicating hemp products beginning October 14, citing an urgent need to protect children from unregulated THC items packaged to look like candy.
DeWine called the products a “clear danger to children,” noting that nearly 90% of reported poisonings involved children under six.
His executive orders redefine legal hemp to exclude intoxicating products, authorize the Ohio Department of Agriculture to enforce the rule, and require retailers to remove items or face $500-per-day fines.
While the move is widely praised for prioritizing child safety, small business owners warn it could devastate their livelihoods. Some urge lawmakers to pursue regulation rather than prohibition.
Lawmakers from both parties agree that children must be shielded from deceptive marketing and unsafe products. Proposals include age limits, safety testing, and selling intoxicating hemp only through regulated dispensaries.
DeWine’s move reinforces child’s rights, which affirm that children’s best interests and health must guide public policy. By acting against deceptive, intoxicating hemp products, Ohio affirms that every child has the right to safety, health, and protection from harmful substances.
