During a recent interview, Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio urged legislators to prohibit the sale of delta 8 THC products. This comes as legislators consider amending the cannabis legalization initiative voters in the state approved two years ago. DeWine explained that these products were being sold in different businesses across the state and could be accessed by children as young as 12. This, he asserted, needed to be stopped.
The proliferation of intoxicating hemp products has been an issue for different states in the country since hemp was legalized with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. The legalization measure contains a loophole that allows the sale of hemp products with delta 8 THC, including in states where the sale of cannabis is prohibited.
In Ohio, the sale of these unregulated products competes against licensed cannabis dispensaries which check ID cards to ensure only individuals over the age of 21 can purchase these products, pay taxes, and ensure they only sell products that have been tested in approved labs.
This isn’t the first time DeWine has called for the banning of these products either. During the legislature’s previous session, he suggested that the ban be implemented. However, legislators didn’t act on this.
The cannabis legalization measure being deliberated on by legislators, SB 56, was sponsored by state Senator Steve Huffman. The original measure increased the tax paid by consumers on cannabis to 15% from 10%. DeWine argues that the increased taxes could generate funds that could be allocated to drug task forces, county jails, the poison control center, and the 988 number for requesting help with mental health issues.
However, a substitute initiative adopted by the Chairman of the Senate’s General Government Committee, Sen. Kristina Roegner, eliminates this increase. Roegner also removed a clause that redirects where tax revenue generated was allocated.
Those who oppose the proposed increase in taxes argue that increasing the cost of legal cannabis in the state would only make it harder for Ohio to compete against cheap cannabis sold illegally in Michigan, which is Ohio’s primary competitor.
Other proposed changes that remain in the resolution include decreasing the number of cannabis plants individuals can grow in their homes to 6 from 12 and limiting the total number of dispensaries to 350. Currently, the state has over 130 dispensaries. One of the local dispensaries, Firelands Scientific, is located in Huron. Two other dispensaries, Ascend Cannabis and The Forest, are situated on U.S. 250 in Perkins Township.
The U.S. hemp industry, including major companies like Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ), isn’t generally opposed to product regulation so that intoxicating products are kept out of the hands of minors and all items that hit the retail shelves are tested. However, the patchwork of laws varying from state to state makes the business environment very challenging to navigate, especially for firms that operate in multiple states around the country.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/SFWJ
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