Ohio Lawmakers to Regulate Intoxicating Hemp Products Amid New Federal Restrictions
A conference committee in Ohio is expected to propose rules for governing intoxicating hemp products, following a recent federal law that closes a loophole allowing the unregulated sale of these products. The new federal law, which was part of a budget bill that ended the longest federal shutdown in history, aims to ban unregulated sales of intoxicating hemp products in one year.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has expressed concerns that some hemp products, which mimic common candy packaging, could attract children. In response, he has called for state regulation to ensure public safety.
The Ohio House had previously passed legislation that would regulate intoxicating hemp products through dispensaries, similar to those used for marijuana. However, House Speaker Matt Huffman has suggested that the new federal law may require a different approach. While acknowledging the need for regulation, Huffman noted that the state may not need to establish dispensaries to regulate these products.
The federal law will allow states to continue selling intoxicating hemp products if they enact their own regulations. This is similar to the approach taken with marijuana, which is still federally prohibited but regulated as a legal product for medical and recreational use in many states, including Ohio.
