A last-ditch effort to overturn Ohio’s new intoxicating hemp ban burned out this week after backers failed to gather the roughly 248,000 valid signatures needed to force a statewide referendum. Senate Bill 56 is now on track to take effect today, banning most intoxicating hemp products and further tightening Ohio marijuana rules. Supporters blamed the short timeline, but the campaign declined to say how many signatures it actually collected.

“This was never just a retail issue,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “In real workplaces with real machinery, intoxicating hemp creates real safety concerns, and employers should not be left guessing where the lines are.” 3/19/2026