COLUMBUS, OH – Governor Mike DeWine has declared an Adulterated Consumer Product Emergency for intoxicating hemp products, ordering all Ohio retailers to stop selling them by Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
The order comes amid growing concerns over unregulated hemp-based products that mimic candy, cookies, and gummies — items often marketed toward children. These products, which contain intoxicating compounds such as delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC, produce a high similar to marijuana but are sold outside of Ohio’s regulated cannabis system.
“Intoxicating hemp products are known to have significant impacts on young, developing brains, yet these products are legally marketed to kids, sold to kids, and ingested by kids in Ohio,” said DeWine. “When voters chose to legalize marijuana, they voted for a highly regulated market. Intoxicating hemp completely bypasses these laws, and we must do more to keep these products away from kids.”
According to Ohio Poison Control, exposures to delta-8 and delta-9 THC among youth aged 19 and younger have more than doubled — from 419 cases in 2021 to 994 in 2024. More than half of those cases involved children under five years old, and nearly 90% required an emergency room visit.
When the order takes effect, local and state authorities, including the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), will be authorized to seize intoxicating hemp products still being sold. Retailers who fail to comply could face fines of $500 per day.
The emergency order will remain in effect for up to 90 days, unless renewed by the Ohio General Assembly. It does not impact legal, non-intoxicating hemp products approved under Ohio law or regulated marijuana sales through licensed dispensaries.
DeWine’s order also directs the ODA to immediately revise state administrative rules to redefine hemp and exclude intoxicating products from the legal definition. These temporary rules will remain valid for 120 days while permanent regulations are developed.
The full executive order can be viewed at governor.ohio.gov.
