Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has cleared the way for a campaign to repeal a new law tightening the state’s marijuana and hemp regulations. Yost certified the title and summary of a revised referendum petition challenging Senate Bill 56, allowing supporters to begin collecting signatures to put the issue before voters.

Yost said his action reflects only that the petition summary is fair and accurate, not whether the proposal itself is legally sound. The law is scheduled to take effect in March.

Passed by lawmakers in December, the measure restricts most intoxicating hemp products and adds penalties for certain marijuana conduct that voters legalized in 2023.

Manufacturers said evolving cannabis policy creates added complications for workplace safety and drug rules.

“The shifting policy landscape creates challenges for employers trying to comply with the law,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Manufacturers operate in safety-sensitive workplaces, so uncertainty is not just inconvenient, it is risky.” 2/5/2026