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Ohio Senate rejects House changes to hemp, marijuana bill after members cite child‑safety and regulatory gaps
Summary
Senators voted not to concur in House amendments to Substitute Senate Bill 56 following floor objections that the changes would leave intoxicating hemp products unregulated, extend a grace period, and limit local control. Senators Wilkin and DeMora led calls for nonconcurrence; the motion failed by roll call (0 yeas, 32 nays).
The Ohio Senate voted not to concur in House amendments to Substitute Senate Bill 56, a package of changes to liquor control, hemp and adult‑use marijuana laws, after several senators argued the House version left dangerous gaps in state regulation.
Senator Jay Wilkin urged colleagues to “urge nonconcurrence on house bill 56,” saying the House amendments “failed to close the loophole for synthetic THC” and would permit the continued sale of “untested, unregulated ... packages that are designed and directed toward kids.” He said the amendments would allow such sales to continue for an additional 300 days and would limit local governments’ ability to restrict hemp dispensaries near marijuana dispensaries.
Senator Teresa DeMora echoed those concerns, saying the products “still can be sold at gas stations” and that the 300‑day grace period was “just unacceptable.” Both senators urged the chamber to return the bill for further work to address intoxicating hemp products and child safety.
The clerk conducted a roll call on whether the Senate would concur in the House amendments. The result was recorded as 0 yeas and 32 nays, and President Macaulay announced: “With 0 yeas and 32 nays, the senate does not concur in house amendments to substitute senate bill number 56.”
The Senate did not adopt the House amendments; the bill’s future depends on whether sponsors pursue further changes or a conference process with the House.
