Ohio Attorney General Approves Ballot Measure to Repeal Cannabis Regulations

Organizers have until mid-March to collect 250,000 signatures to put the referendum on the November ballot.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:07pm

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Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has certified a referendum petition seeking to block portions of the state's new marijuana and hemp regulations from taking effect. The proposed referendum, backed by the group Ohioans for Cannabis Choice, would repeal much of Senate Bill 56 signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine in December. Organizers now have a tight timeline to collect the required 250,000 signatures to put the measure on the November ballot.

Why it matters

This ballot measure represents a clash between the state government's efforts to regulate the cannabis industry and grassroots support for more permissive laws following the 2023 voter-approved legalization of cannabis. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of Ohio's cannabis policies.

The details

The referendum petition seeks to repeal provisions in Senate Bill 56 related to the regulation, criminalization, and taxation of cannabis products. Organizers say the bill represents government overreach and that voters should have a chance to weigh in again after overwhelmingly approving cannabis legalization in 2023. The attorney general's office initially rejected the petition but has now certified it after the group resubmitted revised language. Ohioans for Cannabis Choice now has until mid-March, when the law is set to take effect, to collect the required 250,000 signatures from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties.

  • Attorney General Dave Yost certified the referendum petition on February 3, 2026.
  • Organizers have until mid-March 2026 to collect 250,000 signatures to put the measure on the November 2026 ballot.

The players

Dave Yost

The Attorney General of Ohio who certified the referendum petition.

Mike DeWine

The Governor of Ohio who signed Senate Bill 56 into law in December.

Ohioans for Cannabis Choice

The group backing the referendum petition to repeal portions of Ohio's new cannabis regulations.

Joseph Ellwood

A hemp farmer in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and a petitioner for the referendum.

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What they’re saying

“We are ready to hit the streets and begin collecting 250,000 valid signatures because we know voters will say no to SB 56 because it is government overreach.”

— Joseph Ellwood, Hemp farmer and petitioner (cleveland.com)

“The people spoke in 2023 when they overwhelmingly voted to legalize cannabis, and we are going to allow them to speak once again this November by voting no on SB 56.”

— Joseph Ellwood, Hemp farmer and petitioner (cleveland.com)

“My certification should not be construed as an affirmation of the enforceability and constitutionality of the referendum petition.”

— Dave Yost, Attorney General (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the referendum petition to proceed with signature collection.

The takeaway

This ballot measure highlights the ongoing tension between state governments and the cannabis industry, with voters potentially having a chance to weigh in on the future of Ohio's cannabis policies following the 2023 legalization vote.