Cannabis industry workers have spoken out against a bill that would ban intoxicating cannabis products in Ohio, effectively eliminating them from the market. These are known as delta-8 THC products and are often sold in smoke shops and corner stores.
Those who spoke out against it Senate Bill 326 During last week’s meeting of the Senate Government Committee, he called for regulations rather than a sales ban, arguing that this would cause the black market to flourish.
“Strict prohibitions will only support the illegal sale of these products, with no enforceable safety or age requirements, and do nothing to address the issues lawmakers recognize as a need for new hemp legislation,” said Jonathan Miller, general counsel of the US Hemp Roundtable .
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has asked lawmakers to regulate or ban delta-8 THC products, and state Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, introduced SB 326 last month.
Twenty-five people filed opposing testimony on SB 326 last week, and nearly 20 people testified Testimony from supporters of the bill last month.
Marijuana is legal in Ohio and is not considered an intoxicating cannabis product. The 2018 Farm Bill says hemp can be grown legally if it contains less than 0.3% THC.
“Senate Bill 326 seeks to outlaw an industry of thousands of small businesses, but in reality it will simply strengthen the black market,” said J.D. McCormick, president of the American Association of Healthy Alternatives.
He said several Ohioans have turned to hemp as an alternative to opioid painkillers.
“The 2023 U.S. Cannabinoid Industry Economic Impact Report indicates that the Ohio hemp-derived cannabinoid market generates revenues of $704,782,000,” he said. “It also estimates that the cannabis industry supports 8,157 jobs with wages of $327,448,000 for industry workers and approximately $40,524,970.00 in annual sales tax revenues.”
Mo Dayem owns six smoke shops across the state that sell cannabis products.
“SB 326 would put my company and my employees at risk,” he said. “I assure you that the industry supports sensible regulation. We want responsible companies to continue to operate and that there are no bad actors or unsafe products on the market.”
The cannabis industry supports sales bans to people under 21, product testing, labeling requirements and restrictions, Dayem said.
“Some of the products that have attracted media attention are packaged like well-known brands of children’s candy,” he said. “They should be banned and the industry agrees they should be withdrawn from the market.”
Doug Strahm owns two CBD stores – Happy Harvest Delaware and Happy Harvest Marion – and said this bill would destroy his business.
“The financial stability and well-being of my family, as well as the jobs of our employees, are tied to this industry,” he said.
About 80% of their sales come from delta products, which they sell exclusively to customers 21 and older.
“The average age of our customers is actually about 45,” Strahm said.
Jaimee Courtney owns a CBD shop in Bellefontaine where most of the customers are over 55 years elderly.
“These are responsible adults seeking relief and well-being without the intoxicating effects of marijuana,” she said.
Courtney shared the story of a 90-year-old client who said taking CBD gummies helped her stop having seizures.
“I think this ban would hurt people more than it would actually help,” she said.
Lawmakers are trying to get their bills passed before the current General Assembly ends at the end of the month, which means any bills that don’t pass will fall through and will have to be reintroduced in the next General Assembly, which begins in January.
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