11/20/2025

DeWine: Hemp Ban in Shutdown Deal Could Help Ohio Lawmakers set Delta-8 Rules

The action pleased the governor, according to remarks he shared with reporters

The deal to reopen the federal government agreed to last week includes a ban on "intoxicating" hemp, eventually making sales of hemp-derived edibles and drinks with delta-8 THC or similar ingredients illegal. And Ohio's governor, Mike DeWine, who tried to impose a similar ban last month, said he is pleased.

"I'm very happy with the action by the Congress. I think it's the right thing. I think they recognize the the danger to our our children," DeWine told reporters on Friday. "My understanding of the law they passed is, you've got a year before this really goes into effect. So, the legislature is going to have to figure out how to deal with that. I would certainly hope that the easiest thing for the legislature to do is just basically mirror the federal law and that way there wouldn't be any confusion going forward."

Last month, DeWine signed an executive order banning sales of a slew of unregulated products containing cannabinoid derivatives, like those with delta-8 THC and THC-A. The order sought to stop sales for 90 days. Hemp-affiliated businesses sued, and a judge halted the ban until at least Dec. 2, 2025.

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