Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed an executive order banning intoxicating hemp products, requiring retailers to remove THC gummies and beverages from shelves by October 14. This decision comes amid growing concerns over the dangers of THC exposure to children, with data indicating a sharp rise in young children’s access to these products over the past few years.
According to the Ohio Poison Control (OPC), the number of exposures to THC among those aged 19 and younger increased from 419 in 2021 to 994 in 2024. Among children aged 5 and under, the number of exposures nearly tripled, rising from 202 to 555. About 90% of children 12 and under who were exposed to THC ended up in the emergency room, with two-thirds requiring hospitalization, according to the OPC.
Exposure during adolescence, when the brain is still developing, has been linked to poorer learning, memory, and attention problems, as well as changes in brain development, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, pointed out that the issue stems from a lack of regulation of cannabis products, particularly following the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized industrial hemp at the federal level. This bill inadvertently opened the door to unregulated production and sale of THC-containing products, many of which are marketed in colorful packaging resembling popular candy brands.
The governor emphasized that the ban is temporary but appropriate given the dangers. DeWine noted that when Ohioans voted to legalize marijuana, they only voted to license dispensaries to sell products to those 21 or older. Intoxicating hemp products bypass these laws, and the state must take more action to protect children from these risks. Retailers who fail to comply with the order could face fines of $500 per day, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture will have the authority to confiscate any remaining products.
DeWine’s executive order is part of a growing trend of states taking action to limit access to THC products in an effort to protect children and youth. The move underscores increasing public concern over the risks associated with these products, particularly in light of the rise in cannabis use among pregnant women despite known fetal risks. The governor’s decision reflects a broader effort to address the unregulated use of hemp-derived THC products, which have become a growing public health concern.