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Kent Today
By the People, for the People
Ohio Businesses Challenge Ban on Hemp and THC Products
Breweries and smoke shops fight new state law prohibiting certain hemp items and THC drinks
Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:58am
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Ohio businesses, including a Kent-based smoke shop called Paper & Leaf, are challenging a new state law that bans certain hemp products and THC-infused beverages. The law, Senate Bill 56, took effect on March 20, forcing the owner of Paper & Leaf to close their shop and lay off employees as the new regulations impacted their product offerings.
Why it matters
The ban on hemp and THC products has disrupted small businesses across Ohio that had been selling these items, which had become increasingly popular with consumers. The legal battle highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal regulations around cannabis-derived products.
The details
Senate Bill 56 prohibits the sale of any hemp product containing more than 0.3% THC, as well as the sale of any beverages infused with THC. This has forced businesses like Paper & Leaf, which specialized in hemp-derived goods, to shut down operations. The owner says the new law has left their business "out in the dust" as the industry progresses.
- Senate Bill 56 took effect on March 20, 2026.
- Paper & Leaf in Kent, Ohio was forced to close its shop after the new law went into effect.
The players
Paper & Leaf
A smoke shop in Kent, Ohio that specialized in selling hemp-derived products, including some containing THC. The owner was forced to close the business after the new state law prohibiting such items took effect.
Senate Bill 56
A new law in Ohio that bans the sale of hemp products containing more than 0.3% THC, as well as any beverages infused with THC.
What they’re saying
“We kind of got left out in the dust as things are progressing forward here.”
— Paper & Leaf Owner
What’s next
Ohio businesses are challenging the new law in court, arguing that it unfairly targets their products and operations.
The takeaway
The battle over hemp and THC products in Ohio highlights the ongoing regulatory uncertainty surrounding cannabis-derived goods, even as consumer demand continues to grow. Small businesses are caught in the middle, forced to adapt or shut down as state laws evolve.
