A Franklin County judge has temporarily blocked Gov. Mike DeWine’s emergency order banning the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived products, allowing Ohio retailers and breweries to continue offering THC-infused beverages and edibles—at least for now.
The court’s Oct. 14 decision pauses DeWine’s 90-day ban while a lawsuit from several hemp-industry businesses moves forward. The ruling immediately reopened the door for dozens of small shops and taprooms that had been forced to pull the popular drinks from their shelves.
Local Impact Felt in North Canton
At The Barrel Room in North Canton, owner Keri Sullivan had spent the past year developing a menu that included THC-infused seltzers and mocktails. She began offering the drinks in fall 2024 after noticing younger customers were drinking less alcohol and looking for low-calorie, nonalcoholic alternatives.
Sales had been strong, drawing both sober patrons and those seeking a lighter social option. When DeWine announced his order earlier this month—calling for all intoxicating hemp products to be removed from stores by Oct. 14—Sullivan said she immediately stopped ordering new stock and prepared to comply.
The sudden reversal by the court, she said, offers at least a temporary reprieve for small businesses like hers that had invested in the emerging market.
Background on the Ban
DeWine’s emergency order, issued Oct. 8, cited an increase in poison-control calls involving children who consumed THC-laced products. The governor argued that hemp-based items containing delta-8 and delta-9 THC were being sold in unregulated settings, sometimes packaged to resemble candy.
Retailers that ignored the order faced potential daily fines, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture was granted authority to seize noncompliant products.
While DeWine had urged lawmakers earlier in the year to take up the issue, the General Assembly has yet to agree on how hemp-derived THC should be regulated. Some legislators favor treating the products like alcohol or tobacco, while others want them restricted to licensed marijuana dispensaries.
