Key Provisions of Senate Bill 86
Introduced by Senators Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) and Shane Wilkin (R-Hillsboro), SB 86 mandates that intoxicating hemp products be sold exclusively through state-licensed adult-use dispensaries. The legislation also imposes a 15% excise tax on these products and prohibits sales to individuals under 21 years of age. Additionally, the bill requires stringent testing, packaging, labeling, and advertising standards for products intended for ingestion or inhalation .
Support from Public Health Officials
Public health experts have voiced strong support for the bill. Dr. Hannah Hays, Medical Director of the Central Ohio Poison Center, highlighted a significant increase in accidental poisonings related to cannabinoid products. “We currently receive several calls each day for exposures to cannabinoids, including intoxicating hemp products, in children under 6 years,” she stated. “A quarter of children who consume intoxicating hemp products require admission to the hospital, and more than a third of those admitted require ICU level care”.
Concerns from the Hemp Industry
While the bill has garnered support from public health officials, members of the hemp industry have expressed concerns about its potential impact on small businesses. Jonathan Miller, General Counsel for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, warned that an outright ban could bolster the illicit market. “Strict bans will only support illicit sales of these products, with no enforceable safety or age requirements,” he argued .
Business owners like Mo Dayem, who operates multiple smoke shops across Ohio, emphasized the economic implications. “S.B. 326 bill would jeopardize my business and my employees,” Dayem said. He advocated for reasonable regulations over a complete ban, noting that his stores already enforce age restrictions and support mandatory product testing .
Next Steps
With the Senate’s approval, SB 86 now moves to the Ohio House of Representatives for consideration. If enacted, Ohio would join a growing number of states implementing stricter controls on hemp-derived intoxicating products to safeguard public health and ensure the integrity of the legal cannabis market.
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