Governor Issues Executive Order Protecting Children from Intoxicating Hemp Products Sold at Convenience Stores

Parents need to hear this.

Emergency room admissions climbed 330% for children under 6 years old, and for children between 6 and 12 years old, they climbed 550%.

From what?

Overdoses.

It’s not what someone might normally think of as a drug overdose, yet it is just as concerning and quite dangerous.

Intoxicating hemp products are sold as gummies and drinks at most convenience stores.

The problem is the packaging looks very similar to popular candy and energy drinks.

Governor Mike DeWine held a news conference this week to announce his Executive Order banning the sale of those products. Visibly frustrated with the colorful marketing of the drug, the governor held two packages up that could be easily mistaken as the same candy but one is intoxicating hemp. “Designed clearly to mimic candy," said Governor DeWine. "Designed clearly to entice children to consume these.”

Governor DeWine was joined by Doctor Hannah Hays, the Medical Director of the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, as well as the President of the Buckeye Sheriff’s Association, Sheriff Vernon Stanforth.

Dr. Hays described how intoxicating hemp products have real life consequences that end in the ER. “Ohio poison data demonstrates that over 90% of exposures to children under six receive emergency department care and about two-thirds are hospitalized for continued monitoring and treatment.”

Sheriff Stanforth reinforced the problem with the packaging and praised the governor and the legislature, encouraging both to take more action in regulating the product, “We’re talking about something that has been adulterated and it’s made to look like a candy.”

Yet, it isn’t candy. Kids might eat an entire box, when the serving size for intoxicating hemp might be just a single piece.

That’s why the Ohio Senate unanimously passed SB 86 at the end of April that would move these products to marijuana dispensaries.

Sponsored by Senator Stephen Huffman, who has worked as an emergency room physician for years, Senator Huffman issued this statement about the need for the General Assembly to act.

Senate Bill 86 is in the House General Government Committee.

The governor's Executive Order officially takes effect Tuesday, October 14th.