COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new cannabis law in Ohio is creating confusion for businesses and consumers alike, especially after a judge temporarily blocked parts of it just weeks after it took effect. 

Senate Bill 56, signed by Gov. Mike DeWine in December, targets intoxicating hemp products that had been widely sold in gas stations and smoke shops. State leaders say the goal is to move those products into Ohio’s regulated cannabis system.

“What we have is a situation where people have abused the law. They are selling this intoxicating hemp with a loophole in the law, and there’s no regulation,” DeWine said, prior to signing SB 56. “We had the wild wild west out there.”

Supporters of SB 56, including the Ohio Cannabis Coalition (OHCANN), said it’s already improving safety for consumers.

“When you go into a dispensary, you know you’re going to get safe, tested, licensed products that the state stands behind,” said Adrienne Robbins, deputy executive director of OHCANN. “That’s a really good thing for Ohio consumers.”

Robbins says misinformation has added to the confusion, but emphasized that Ohio’s legal cannabis market is still operating.

“We have over 200 dispensaries that are open right now, and we have more coming online every single day,” she said. “The whole state of Ohio does have access to those safe, tested products.”

Last week, a judge issued a temporary restraining order that paused enforcement of parts of Senate Bill 56, but only for a limited number of businesses involved in a lawsuit.

“That actually only applies to the two brands,” Robbins explained. “And it’s only for about two weeks.”

The order is tied in part to cannabis-infused beverages and does not apply to the broader marketplace, according to industry officials. Another court hearing is expected in the coming weeks.

For some hemp shop owners, the law has already had significant consequences. Jacob Wright, owner of Get Wright Lounge in Columbus, said his business was forced to make difficult decisions after the law took effect. He sells a variety of cannabis products but is not licensed through the state.

“We had employees that we had to let go,” Wright said. “I built this from the ground up, and most of the employees are lifelong friends.”

Wright said the rapid changes, and now the court order, have left customers unsure about what’s legal.

“We have customers come in like ‘let me get this or let me get this,’ like we’re about to be closed down tomorrow,” he said. “And it’s just not how it should be.”

For now, most of Senate Bill 56 remains in effect, while the temporary restraining order is expected to last about two weeks. State leaders continue to defend the law as necessary for consumer safety, while some business owners are preparing for an ongoing legal fight. As the courts weigh next steps, Ohio’s cannabis landscape remains in flux, leaving many waiting for clearer answers.