On May 8, 2025, the Ohio House Judiciary Committee met to hear over three hours of testimony opposing House Bill 160 (HB 160) — a controversial piece of legislation that could dramatically alter how cannabis and hemp products are regulated in the state.
What’s at stake? According to growers, shop owners, patients, and policy experts — a lot.
🚫 What’s in HB 160?
HB 160 would enact broad changes to Ohio’s cannabis rules. Among its most talked-about provisions:
- Hemp Product Sales Restricted – Only licensed dispensaries could sell intoxicating hemp-derived products like THCa.
- Potency Reduction – THC levels in extract products would be capped at 70%, down from the current 90%.
- Dispensary Limit – A statewide cap of 350 dispensaries would be imposed.
- Funding Shift – Revenue from cannabis taxes would be rerouted to the General Revenue Fund, eliminating previous community and equity program allocations.
- Public Use Ban – All public consumption of cannabis would be illegal.
⚠️ Why Are So Many People Opposed?
Over 40 individuals and organizations testified against HB 160. While they came from different backgrounds, their messages overlapped: this bill could harm small businesses, dismantle equity efforts, restrict patients, and override Issue 2, the ballot measure voters passed in 2023 to legalize adult-use cannabis in Ohio.
🧑⚖️ Voices from the Policy Front
Karen O’Keefe of the Marijuana Policy Project drew a sharp comparison, asking why Ohio would restrict possession of legally purchased cannabis from other states — saying it’d be like outlawing Kentucky bourbon bought across state lines.
Local officials like Lexi Lausten, a trustee from Anderson Township, criticized the state for pulling the rug out from under communities that welcomed dispensaries based on the promise of shared tax revenue.
🛍️ Small Businesses on the Line
Owners of CBD shops and small grow operations echoed deep concern:
- Jaimee Courtney, owner of Sunmed in Bellefontaine, warned that HB 160 would eliminate nearly all of her full-spectrum hemp products, likely pushing customers to less-safe online marketplaces.
- Saraquoia Bryant, of Cool Digs in Athens, pointed out that the bill would cancel Level III grow licenses and equity funding — disproportionately hurting smaller cities and growers.
- Joey Elwood, a licensed hemp farmer with Appalachian Girls Cannabis, noted that the bill wouldn’t stop hemp products from flowing into Ohio via online sales, but would shut down in-state farms and stores.
🧍 What About Personal Use?
Cannabis advocate Anthony Riley raised a critical question about how the public use ban would be enforced — asking where people are supposed to consume if they can’t legally do it in public or at a friend’s house. With home use suddenly questionable, the lack of clarity could impact thousands of users.
📢 How Ohioans Are Fighting Back
Advocacy organizations and everyday citizens are mobilizing to push back against HB 160 and protect the future of hemp access in Ohio. Here’s how people are taking action:
- Join the Cannabis Civic Coalition (@civicscannabis) – Reach out on social media or through advocacy groups.
- Email your legislators – Tell them how this bill affects you or your business.
- Submit testimony – Share your voice directly with the House Judiciary Committee:
📧 ohrjudiciarycommittee@ohiohouse.gov - Spread the word – Use social media, forums, and local events to raise awareness.
🧭 What’s Next for HB 160?
This bill is one of several currently being debated in Ohio. On June 10, Ohio State University’s Drug Enforcement and Policy Center will host a webinar titled:
“(Un)Checked Power of the Ohio General Assembly: Can Legislators Override Voters’ Will on Marijuana Reform?”
It will explore the legal and political implications of laws like HB 160. You can register here.
💬 Final Thoughts: A Defining Moment for Ohio’s Cannabis Future
Whether you’re a patient, a small shop owner, or a casual consumer — HB 160 represents a potential rollback of voter-approved progress. The fight over how hemp and cannabis should be regulated in Ohio is heating up, and the decisions made in the coming weeks could permanently reshape access across the state.
Now’s the time to get informed — and get involved.
