Ohio Governor Bans THC Products
Ohio’s Governor Mike DeWine has enacted an executive order prohibiting the sale of beverages, gummies, and other “intoxicating hemp” items that contain THC.
Starting October 14, retailers across Ohio will need to eliminate gummies, drinks, cookies, and any other products containing THC—the key psychoactive component in cannabis—from their shelves.
DeWine noted that “addictive hemp products seriously affect young, developing brains, and in Ohio, these items are legally sold to children.”
These products are often found in eye-catching packaging that resembles popular candy brands.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) highlights the dangers of THC exposure during adolescence, linking it to issues with learning, memory, and attention, as well as alterations in brain development.
Intoxicating hemp is produced through the alteration of compounds in the hemp plant, creating harmful substances like delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC.
According to the Ohio Office of Poison Control (OPC), the number of exposures to these compounds among those 19 and younger rose significantly, from 419 to 994 from 2021 to 2024.
For younger children, specifically those under five, cases nearly tripled in the same period—from 202 to 555.
The OPC also reported that around 90% of kids under 12 who were exposed to THC ended up needing emergency room treatment, and two-thirds were hospitalized.
Dr. Mark Siegel, a senior medical analyst, emphasized the dangers stemming from a lack of regulation surrounding cannabis products. He mentioned, “This ban is temporary but appropriate given the risks.”
He also referred to the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized industrial hemp, as a factor that opened doors to unregulated THC products.
DeWine clarified that when Ohioans voted to legalize marijuana, it only allowed for dispensaries to sell products to those 21 and older.
“Drug addiction completely circumvents these laws, and we need to do more to keep these products away from our children,” the governor stated.
Under the new order, any THC products need to be returned to their manufacturers or handed over to law enforcement officials.
Retailers that don’t comply with this ban could face fines of up to $500 per day, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture will have the authority to seize non-compliant products.
