A judge in Franklin County has for now blocked Gov. Mike DeWine’s short-term ban of “intoxicating” hemp products with psychoactive ingredients, such as delta-8 THC and THC-A.
“The court is concerned that the governor is adding new definitions that don’t exist,” Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Carl Aveni said Tuesday.
In a lawsuit filed last week, three hemp retailers and manufacturers argue DeWine acted outside his authority as governor, according to Franklin County Court of Common Pleas documents. Those plaintiffs include Titan Logistics Group, Fumee Smoke and Vape and Invicta Nutraceuticals—all members of the Ohio Healthy Alternatives Association.
“It is statutory law that products containing ‘hemp’ and ‘hemp products’ are not adulterated,” the lawsuit reads. “Yet, (Gov.)