cannabis

A new marijuana law goes into effect on March 20 since a cannabis advocacy group does not get enough signatures to get a referendum on the ballot by March 19.

March 19 was the deadline to stay some measures in Senate Bill 56 by a statewide referendum. Signature gatherers say they ran out of time.

Ohioans for Cannabis Choice said over email it sent both the Ohio Secretary of State and Ohio Attorney General’s offices more than 1,000 signatures.

If signed, the final version of Senate Bill 56 that cleared the Ohio Senate on Tuesday afternoon bans most intoxicating hemp within 90 days.

A six-member committee of Ohio lawmakers met to recommend a slew of changes to cannabis law as well as a ban on intoxicating hemp, including hemp-derived beverages.

The deal to reopen the federal government agreed to last week includes a ban on “intoxicating” hemp, similar to one ordered by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine last month.

Ohio House lawmakers advanced long-stalled legislation Wednesday afternoon redoing cannabis laws and more strictly regulating other THC.

Businesses like Aardvark Beer & Wine in Linworth are trying to sell their inventory before the ban takes effect on Tuesday.

Gov. Mike DeWine took administrative action Wednesday afternoon over a slew of unregulated products containing cannabinoid derivatives.

Summer recess is in the rearview. The Ohio General Assembly faces a busy schedule this fall.