New Ohio Bill Would Prohibit Intoxicating Hemp Sales to Minors

Ohio lawmakers are taking aim at the "wild west" of intoxicating hemp products with a wave of new legislative proposals. Leading the charge is Senator Bill DeMora’s Senate Bill 266, which specifically targets the sale of delta-8 and similar hemp derivatives to anyone under 21. Beyond age limits, the bill seeks to scrub store shelves of "copycat" packaging that mimics popular candy or uses cartoons to appeal to kids. While other pending bills like SB 86 and SB 56 attempt to bundle hemp regulation with changes to the state's voter-approved marijuana laws, DeMora’s approach keeps them separate to fast-track safety standards and testing.

For the cannabis community, this shift toward regulation is actually a win. While some fear "over-regulation," establishing lab-testing requirements and clear age gates helps legitimate businesses thrive and ensures that what we're consuming is actually safe. By moving these products into regulated dispensaries or under strict oversight, we move away from shady gas station alternatives and toward a more transparent, professional market that protects both the industry's reputation and our youth.