DeWine’s surprise attack on THC beverages blindsides industry after his 2-year focus on gummies – Cleveland.com
In a stunning move that caught industry insiders off guard, Governor Mike DeWine has used his line-item veto power to almost immediately ban THC beverages in Ohio – an industry he had not previously targeted during his two-year crusade against hemp products.
“When DeWine signed Senate Bill 56 a couple of weeks ago to regulate intoxicating hemp, he vetoed a provision that would have allowed the sale of THC beverages through the end of this year also to be manufactured and distributed within the state,” Lisa Garvin explained on Monday’s episode of Today in Ohio.
DeWine had spent the past two years pushing lawmakers to regulate hemp gummies and similar products marketed toward children and available in gas stations and stores, but he had not campaigned against the adult hemp beverage market.
“It was always about the stuff that was on sale in gas stations and these small stores,” Chris Quinn said. “So I was surprised when he took this out because so many legitimate businesses are making their margins because they’re selling this.”
The governor’s justification that “THC is really not analogous to alcohol” contradicts the will of voters, podcast hosts said. Voters specifically approved a measure to treat marijuana – a relative of hemp – like alcohol. Marijuana and hemp products both contain THC.
“I’m a little bit surprised that he’s saying that it doesn’t equate to alcohol because what did voters say when they legalized marijuana? They want marijuana treated like alcohol. Hemp is just a variant of marijuana,” Quinn noted.
The economic impact of the veto could be severe for Ohio businesses, particularly breweries that have diversified into THC beverages as traditional beer sales have declined. The hemp-based beverages had become a crucial revenue stream for local companies struggling to stay afloat in a challenging market.
Lisa Garvin noted that unlike the gummies in packaging that looks like candy, the hemp beverages are distributed through established beer and wine channels, meaning a regulatory framework is already in place. Kids don’t have access to them.
Quinn wondered whether DeWine is out of touch with changing tastes. Many people, “particularly I think people under 50, are gravitating to this because they see it as safer than alcohol,” Quinn said. “Alcohol has all sorts of serious damage to your body, proven damage to your body, where I don’t know that the THC has shown anything like that.”
The hemp industry is not standing by. It is working to ask voters to legalize hemp products the same way they legalized marijuana, overruling the Legislature and DeWine. Also, the industry continues to lobby Congress to walk back the hemp regulations it abruptly passed last year.
Listen to the discussion here.
Listen to full “Today in Ohio” episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston.
Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2026).
© 2026 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us).
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.
YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here.
Ad Choices