Ohio’s cannabis industry has seen rapid expansion since voters approved adult-use legalization in 2023. Licensed dispensaries began serving consumers in 2024, but now lawmakers are moving to tighten regulations, introducing new bills that could reshape how cannabis is grown, sold, and consumed.

Two key pieces of legislation—Senate Bill 56 and Senate Bill 86—are currently under debate in the Ohio Senate. These bills propose new restrictions on home cultivation, public consumption, THC potency, and the sale of hemp-derived intoxicants, signaling a more controlled and regulated market.

Senate Bill 56: Stricter Rules on Cultivation, Consumption, and THC Limits

The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 56 on February 26, 2025, introducing significant changes that could impact both consumers and businesses. The bill focuses on tightening personal cultivation rules, enforcing public consumption bans, and capping THC potency in cannabis products.

Key Provisions of Senate Bill 56

1. Home Cultivation Limits
   • Reduces the number of homegrown cannabis plants from 12 per household to 6.
   • Requires all plants to be grown in a secure, enclosed space, out of public view.
2. Public Consumption Ban
   • Smoking and consuming marijuana in public spaces would be explicitly prohibited.
   • Use would be restricted to private residences only, with enforcement handled at the local level.
3. THC Potency Caps
   • Limits THC in cannabis flower to 35% and concentrates to 70%.
   • Requires strict testing and labeling for all products before they reach dispensary shelves.
4. Stronger Penalties for Violations
   • Establishes legal consequences for public consumption and cultivation violations.
   • Gives local governments authority to impose additional restrictions on cannabis sales and use.

Supporters argue that these changes would improve public safety and prevent misuse, while critics believe the bill unnecessarily restricts consumer access, especially for medical patients who rely on higher THC products or home cultivation for affordability.

Senate Bill 86: Regulating Intoxicating Hemp and Drinkable Cannabinoid Products

On March 4, 2025, the Ohio Senate General Government Committee held its first hearing for Senate Bill 86 (S.B. 86). This legislation aims to regulate intoxicating hemp products and liquid cannabinoid-infused drinks, closing legal loopholes that have allowed unregulated THC products to be sold in gas stations and head shops.

Key Provisions of Senate Bill 86

1. Regulation of Intoxicating Hemp Products
   • Defines intoxicating hemp products as those containing more than 0.5 mg of delta-9 THC per serving or 2 mg per package.
   • Limits sales exclusively to licensed medical or adult-use dispensaries.
   • Requires mandatory testing, packaging, and labeling compliance.
   • Imposes strict penalties for illegal sales, with felony charges for repeat offenses or sales to minors.
2. Drinkable Cannabinoid Products (DCPs)
   • Defines DCPs as liquid hemp-derived cannabinoid products that:
     • Contain less than 0.3% THC.
     • Do not exceed 0.4 mg of THC per fluid ounce.
     • Are capped at 48 fluid ounces per package.
   • Permits sales at licensed dispensaries, bars, grocery stores, and micro-distilleries.
   • Requires registration, testing, and compliance for manufacturers and retailers.
3. New Taxation Rules
   • Imposes a 15% tax on retail sales of intoxicating hemp products.
   • Applies an excise tax of $3.50 per gallon on DCP manufacturers.

Supporters say S.B. 86 helps close the gap between regulated and unregulated cannabis markets, protecting consumers from potentially unsafe products. However, critics worry that hemp-derived cannabinoids provide an affordable alternative for consumers, and overregulation could eliminate access to these products altogether.

Industry Impact: What This Means for Ohio’s Cannabis Market

For dispensaries, cultivators, and processors, these bills introduce major regulatory shifts that could:

• Limit access to high-potency products, affecting both medical patients and recreational consumers.
• Further restrict home cultivation, potentially driving more consumers to dispensaries.
• Push unregulated hemp products into licensed dispensaries, ensuring safer sales but limiting competition.
• Increase taxes on alternative cannabinoid products, impacting small businesses in the hemp and beverage industries.

Bloom’s Perspective: Why Regulation Matters

Bloom Dispensariessupports safe, regulated cannabis that meets rigorous testing and compliance standards. While these bills aim to eliminate unregulated hemp-derived THC sales, they should not impact dispensaries like Bloom, which only sell state-approved medical and adult-use cannabis.

At this time, Bloom is carefully reviewing the provisions of Senate Bill 56 and assessing its potential impact on Ohio’s medical marijuana patients, our operations, and the broader industry. As always, our priority remains ensuring safe and effective access for patients and customers while navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.

Ohio voters made their voices heard in the recent election, and we hope any legislative changes will continue to reflect the will of the people while supporting a responsible and well-regulated cannabis program. -Nicole Stark, CEO

For those looking for safe and legal cannabis in Ohio, Bloom remains committed to providing high-quality, tested products. Stay updated on Ohio’s evolving marijuana laws and regulations at BloomMarijuana.com.

What’s Next? The Future of Cannabis in Ohio

With these bills moving through the Ohio Senate, additional debates could bring more changes to the industry. Future considerations include:

• The fate of pre-roll sales – Will Ohio allow dispensaries to offer pre-rolls more freely?
• Cannabis lounges and public consumption spaces – Will lawmakers allow regulated social consumption venues?
• Potential tax increases on adult-use cannabis – Could Ohio increase its 10% excise tax?

As Ohio’s cannabis laws continue to evolve, staying informed is critical for both consumers and businesses.

How to Stay Updated

To keep up with the latest cannabis policy updates in Ohio:

• Watch legislative hearings on The Ohio Channel.
• Follow industry organizations like the Ohio Cannabis Association (OHCANN).
• Check official state government resources for new regulatory changes.

Final Thoughts

Ohio’s cannabis industry is at a crossroads, with new legislation aiming to balance legalization with tighter regulations. While Senate Bill 86 targets unregulated hemp, Senate Bill 56 introduces new restrictions on cultivation, public use, and THC levels.

For now, legal cannabis sales continue, but these changes could impact both consumer access and business operations. As the debate unfolds, stakeholders should prepare for potential industry shifts in the months ahead

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Anthony Ortiz is employed by Bloom Medicinals