Ohio cannabis industry faces regulatory disputes and upcoming business summit

The Ohio cannabis industry is facing both regulatory tension and upcoming professional development opportunities. Hemp manufacturers have raised concerns regarding Senate Bill 56, alleging a double standard in how the state regulates hemp versus marijuana dispensaries. Business owners, such as Wesley Bryant, argue that the current enforcement unfairly targets hemp-based businesses while allowing larger, corporate-backed marijuana dispensaries to operate under different standards following the 2023 legalization of marijuana via Issue 2.

The Ohio Department of Commerce, through its Division of Cannabis Control, stated that Issue 2 did not legalize intoxicating hemp, and its regulatory role is focused on marijuana.

In a separate development, the sixth annual Ohio Cannabis Health & Business Summit (OCHBS) is scheduled for September 23 and 24, 2026, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The event will feature 115 exhibitors and 81 speakers, focusing on topics such as cultivation, retail pricing, consumer behavior, and legislative changes affecting the state’s medical and adult-use cannabis markets.