Ohio Judge Grants Temporary Restraining Order Allowing Two Smoke Shops to Sell Hemp Products

A Franklin County judge has temporarily halted enforcement of Ohio's new hemp product ban for two smoke shops, giving them a window to sell off existing inventory. Judge Jeffrey M. Brown issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) Thursday that permits Happy Harvest and Get Wright Lounge to continue sales of their current products, despite the state's recent crackdown on low-level THC hemp items. The ruling comes just weeks after Ohio Senate Bill 56 took effect, significantly tightening marijuana and hemp regulations across the state

Attorney Scott Pullins, representing the affected retailers, explained the court's reasoning: “The judge here is concerned about retailers that have made big investments in inventory, and they can’t move it, they can’t transport it, they can’t sell it.” The TRO only applies to existing stock, and sales are restricted to customers 21 and older. Pullins emphasized the limited nature of the relief, stating, “He’s given them, really, a grace period that the legislature should give them.”

Senate Bill 56, which became law on March 20 after a failed referendum effort, imposes new THC caps on marijuana products—reducing the maximum THC concentration in extracts to 70 percent and in flower to 35 percent—and bans public smoking. The law also criminalizes transporting marijuana from out of state and requires in-state marijuana to remain in original packaging and be stored in car trunks while driving. These changes have left many retailers with unsellable stock and facing potential felony charges for transporting products acquired before the law took effect

A preliminary injunction hearing is expected in approximately two weeks, during which further arguments and witness testimony will be presented. Ohio state Rep. Jennifer Gross, who opposed SB 56, has joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff and is expected to provide insight into the legislative process. Meanwhile, new federal restrictions on hemp products are scheduled to take effect November 12, further complicating the regulatory landscape for Ohio businesses

From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, this legal challenge highlights the complex and rapidly evolving nature of cannabis and hemp regulation in Ohio. The court’s decision offers temporary relief for some retailers but signals ongoing legal uncertainty as state and federal laws continue to shift. The outcome of the upcoming preliminary injunction hearing could set important precedents for how Ohio’s cannabis industry adapts to stricter rules and changing market conditions