90-Day THC Hemp Shutdown Starts 10/14!
🚨 A Statewide Shutdown Begins
The state of Ohio has officially enacted a 90-day emergency ban on all intoxicating hemp products, starting October 14, 2025. Governor Mike DeWine announced the measure following growing concern over unregulated Delta-8 THC and similar cannabinoids.
This temporary order bans the sale of hemp-derived THC products — including Delta-8, Delta-10, HHC, and other psychoactive cannabinoids — in all retail stores and online shops within Ohio.
Retailers must remove these products immediately or risk fines of up to $500 per day, per location. The shutdown aims to give state regulators time to design permanent legislation on how these products will be classified and sold in the future.
🏪 What Retailers Need to Know
For hemp shop owners, this move represents a massive disruption. All intoxicating hemp inventory must be pulled, stored, or returned to suppliers for the next 90 days. Local health and agriculture departments have been given authority to inspect and seize any banned products that remain on shelves.
Several small businesses across Ohio have already filed lawsuits challenging the order — arguing that the governor’s action exceeds his authority and could devastate the hemp retail market. With many retailers depending on Delta-8 and similar products for a large share of revenue, the financial impact could be significant.
🧾 What This Means for Shoppers
Consumers won’t face penalties for possession or use of products already purchased, but they will notice empty shelves and online restrictions almost immediately. Gummies, vapes, and drinks containing hemp-derived THC will be unavailable through local retailers and most online stores shipping into Ohio.
Regular CBD products — such as oils, tinctures, and non-intoxicating edibles — remain legal and can still be sold statewide. However, many customers will find that the hemp selections they’ve grown used to have vanished overnight.
📆 What Happens Next
The 90-day shutdown runs until January 12, 2026, unless lawmakers decide to extend it or make the order permanent through new legislation. For now, Ohio becomes the latest state to tighten its stance on hemp-derived THC, joining Tennessee, California, and others in reevaluating the legal gray area left by the 2018 Farm Bill.
Industry groups, including the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, have warned that the ban could destroy small businesses and disrupt a billion-dollar national market. Whether this “temporary” pause leads to reform — or a long-term prohibition — remains to be seen.
🌿 The Bottom Line
This shutdown is a defining moment for hemp in America. As the legal status of cannabinoids like Delta-8 continues to shift, both retailers and consumers should stay informed, stay compliant, and prepare for further changes in 2026.
At Ghost Vapors, we’re committed to transparency, education, and safe access to federally compliant hemp. Follow our Hemp Watch series for continued updates as this story develops.
