COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is pushing for a ban on delta-8 THC, a cannabis product that is not well-regulated by the state. However, consumers who rely on delta-8 for their health are protesting the proposed ban, arguing that it is essential for their wellbeing.
Delta-8 THC has been a life-changing substance for individuals like Jeremy Torchinsky, who was previously addicted to pain pills and alcohol. Torchinsky credits hemp products, including delta-8, for helping him overcome his addiction and manage pain, trauma, and social anxiety.
Retailers like Joel Fink, owner of Fantasy Candies Chocolate Factory and Blue Planet Chocolate, provide Torchinsky and others with access to delta-8. While Fink is not a medical marijuana dispensary owner, he is able to sell low-level THC amounts, often in the form of delta-8.
Delta-8 is a cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant, typically manufactured by CBD. Many users claim that delta-8 helps them with various health issues and chronic illnesses. It is often described as delivering about half to two-thirds of the high associated with delta-9 THC, the main component of marijuana.
Under the Congress’ Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, hemp products containing 0.3% THC or less can be legally sold. Delta-8 falls under this threshold, allowing retailers like Fink to sell it.
However, concerns have been raised about the lack of regulation surrounding delta-8. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has stated that the Drug Enforcement Administration no longer has the authority to seize or criminalize seeds containing less than 0.3% THC. Gov. DeWine argues that this situation needs to change, claiming that children can easily access delta-8 in retail stores without any age restrictions.
DeWine has urged lawmakers to address the issue of delta-8 and is proposing a standalone bill to regulate its sale. This could potentially restrict the sale of THC products to licensed dispensaries only.
While some medical dispensaries are supportive of a ban on delta-8, concerns have been raised about potential competition and the need for consistent health guidelines for all cannabis products.
State Rep. Jamie Callender believes that setting age-related guardrails and regulating high THC hemp products can be accomplished without disrupting the legitimate hemp market.
However, retailers and consumers are skeptical of government intervention. They argue that many individuals still rely on hemp products, including delta-8, for therapeutic purposes and that it would be unfair to take this option away from them.
The debate over delta-8 is further complicated by the ongoing discussions surrounding recreational marijuana legalization in Ohio. The Senate has passed a bill to make marijuana available in medical dispensaries, but its provisions are not favored by House members. The proposed legislation limits home growth, restricts THC levels, and bans most vapes, resulting in opposing opinions among lawmakers.
The battle between the Senate and the House has left the status of marijuana policy in Ohio uncertain. Meanwhile, consumers and retailers, like Fink, await a resolution that considers the interests and needs of both the general public and those who rely on hemp products for their wellbeing.
As the Ohio government grapples with these complex issues surrounding delta-8 and marijuana legalization, it remains to be seen how the situation will ultimately unfold.
For more information and updates on Ohio’s marijuana policy, concerned individuals can contact Statehouse reporter Morgan Trau at Morgan.Trau@wews.com.
