Legislative Alerts
November 2024OGA Testifies on Hemp and Retail Crime Bills
This week, OGA submitted written testimony on two key bills as the Legislature wraps up its 2024 session. On Tuesday, we provided input on Senate Bill 326, which proposes banning most hemp products from retail.
Our testimony emphasized keeping intoxicating products away from minors while advocating for age restrictions, labeling, and testing over a near-total ban that could harm legitimate businesses and push products to the illicit market. We hope the Senate incorporates our recommendations as the bill progresses. On Wednesday, we supported House Bill 366, which aims to create a retail theft task force and modernize theft laws to combat organized retail crime. Special thanks to Steven Berk of Giant Eagle for testifying.
With only a few weeks left in the session, we continue to work with coalition partners to advance this legislation. For more information, contact Kristin Mullins or reach out to your legislator about these bills. Read our testimonies for House Bill 366 here and Senate Bill 326 here.
Hemp Products
Earlier this week, the Ohio Senate started committee hearings on recently introduced legislation that would essentially ban most hemp products from retail sales. SB326, would enact restrictive language that would wipe out the ability for retailers to sell most hemp products on the market today. OGA supports alternatives that address youth access and regulatory oversight, that include age-restricting products, labeling, testing and proper enforcement measures. However, our message to legislators is that a total ban misses the mark and would only hurt legitimate retail businesses. We join other retail business, manufacturers and organizations in opposition to SB326. We expect the Senate to move quickly on this legislation over the coming weeks so it’s imperative we are vocal in our concerns. To that end, if members are interested in offering comments or reaching out to legislators, please let Kristin Mullins know.
July 2024
Minimum Wage
The group behind the proposed constitutional amendment that will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, announced Wednesday that it will aim for the 2025 ballot after falling short of the requirements for this year. Wednesday was the deadline for citizen-initiated ballot issues to file signatures in order to appear on the Tuesday, Nov. 5 ballot. The group had said it would meet the deadline, but Wednesday afternoon said it determined that it would not be able to meet the requirement to have signatures equal to at least 5 percent of the total vote cast for governor in 2022 in 44 counties.
The proposed amendment would raise the state's minimum wage, currently at $10.45 an hour, to $15 by Jan. 1, 2026. It would also include the minimum wage for tipped workers, which is currently $5.05 an hour.
June 2024
Marijuana Not Allowed on Liquor Permit Premises
Despite the legalization of adult-use marijuana in Ohio, its use is still banned on liquor permit premises, including patios. The Ohio Department of Commerce and Ohio Investigative Unit remind permit holders that marijuana remains a controlled substance under Ohio law.
Permit holders allowing marijuana use risk administrative citation and jeopardize their licenses. Suspected violations should be reported to the local OIU office.
Public use of non-medical cannabis is a minor misdemeanor, and indoor smoking laws also apply to marijuana. Non-medical cannabis is not yet available for purchase in Ohio, and it is illegal to bring marijuana from other states.