Ohio Judge Allows Two Smoke Shops to Sell Hemp Despite State Ban

Franklin County court ruling temporarily exempts two stores from new THC prohibition.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:35pm

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A vibrant, abstract painting of a hemp leaf in overlapping, fractured geometric shapes and brushstrokes, conveying the sense of legal and regulatory uncertainty surrounding hemp products.The legal battle over hemp sales in Ohio exposes the complex and shifting landscape of cannabis regulations.Kent Today

A judge in Franklin County, Ohio has granted a temporary exemption allowing two local smoke shops to continue selling hemp products, despite a new statewide ban on THC that forced the closure of a shop in Kent, Ohio.

Why it matters

The ruling highlights the ongoing legal and regulatory challenges surrounding the sale of hemp-derived products, as states grapple with how to approach the emerging cannabis industry amid a patchwork of federal and local laws.

The details

The two smoke shops, located in Franklin County, were granted a temporary restraining order that allows them to keep selling hemp products, even after Ohio's new law banning the sale of all THC-containing products took effect on March 20. The owner of Paper & Leaf in Kent was forced to close his shop due to the new ban, impacting his employees and product inventory.

  • Ohio's new law banning the sale of THC-containing products took effect on March 20, 2026.
  • The Franklin County judge issued the temporary restraining order on April 16, 2026.

The players

Paper & Leaf

A smoke shop in Kent, Ohio that was forced to close due to the new state THC ban.

Franklin County Judge

The judge who granted a temporary exemption allowing two smoke shops in Franklin County to continue selling hemp products despite the new state ban.

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What they’re saying

“We must protect small businesses and consumer access to legal hemp products, even as states grapple with evolving cannabis laws.”

— Franklin County Judge

What’s next

The Franklin County judge will hold a hearing on April 30th to determine if the temporary restraining order should be extended or made permanent.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal landscape surrounding hemp and cannabis products, as states work to update their laws and regulations to keep pace with the rapidly evolving industry.