Layoffs, destroyed inventory, possible criminal charges: What DeWine’s hemp veto could do to some Ohio breweries.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Fifty West Brewing Company, Urban Artifact and two other Ohio breweries are taking legal action against state officials following Gov. Mike DeWine’s multi-section veto offiled in the Ohio Supreme Court argues Gov.
DeWine’s veto of the entire framework of selling hemp beverages in the state is unconstitutional., which established a nine-month sales window for companies to sell, distribute and manufacture their hemp beverages until Dec. 31, 2026, among other rules for these types of products. DeWine said he vetoed multiple sections citing safety concerns and a federal ban on hemp drinks that will take place November 2026. “Ohio is making good public policy by enacting its own intoxicating hemp ban earlier than federal law. However, a carve out to allow the further sale of intoxicating hemp beverages for most of 2026 will create confusion for customers and a lack of conformity with federal law,” the governor The breweries’ attorneys, Carol Thompson, James Kresge and Andrew McCartney, argue that the governor does not have the power to veto sections, only items in a bill. “This is not just about policy—it’s about the rule of law,” said Kresge. “The Ohio Constitution does not permit the Governor to rewrite legislation by deleting entire sections. His veto is unlawful, and it’s catastrophic for our clients.”With DeWine’s vetoes, Fifty West, Urban Artifact, Cycling Frog and Sarene Craft Beer Distributors are all forced to either sell millions of dollars-worth of hemp products or throw it all away by March 20. If they do not, they could face criminal liability, including drug trafficking charges.“We’ve already lost over $1.7 million in annual revenue from our co-packing business since the veto,” said Urban Artifact CFO Scotty Hunter. “We’ve laid off six employees and a contractor, and more cuts are coming.” Hunter says Urban Artifact has about 7,500 cases of inventory, and if they cannot sell it all, they anticipate losing up to $250,000. Bobby Slattery, the founder of Fifty West, says he is in a similar boat with “Sunflower,” the brewery’s popular THC brew.“If Fifty West’s Sunflower brand is removed from the market, we estimate an immediate impact on our production workforce,” Slattery said. “Without the revenue generated by Sunflower, the likelihood of being forced to shut down our Chillicothe brewery becomes more of a reality. That would mean even more jobs lost and a shuttered vibrant anchor business in the heart of downtown.” Sarene Craft Beer Distributors in Columbus have already lost millions in revenue and have already laid off its first round of employees, co-owner Joseph Grabowski says, and he is expecting more.and now this, businesses in the state are understandably confused, frustrated and nervous,” Grabowski said. “The legislature laid out a clear path forward for safe, low milligram beverages with necessary regulation and again the governor is overstepping his authority to try and circumvent them.” Meanwhile, Cycling Frog would not be able to sell their products in Ohio, which makes up 20% of the company’s national sales, Vice President of Government Affairs Dylan Summers said. “This isn’t just about a few companies—it’s about the state honoring its own laws,” said Thompson. “Our clients made good-faith investments based on legislation passed by the General Assembly. The governor’s veto doesn’t just threaten their livelihoods. The governor’s invalid veto undermines the constitutional separation of powers.” On behalf of the breweries, the complaint asks for the Ohio Supreme Court to order Secretary of State Frank LaRose to treat SB 56 in its original form as valid law and to order superintendents of the cannabis and liquor control to finalize hemp beverage policies by March 20.Cleveland woman arrested for murder as investigation into deaths of 2 girls found in suitcases continuesSeveral Ohio schools placed under lockdown after threatCleveland mother accused of burying daughters in suitcases prompts new focus on parenting billOhio bail reform bill prompted by downtown brawl named for victim beaten in viral video
Fox19 19 Fox News Channel Cincinnati Dewine Vetoes THC Drinks Provision Signs Marijuana Bill Hemp Marijuana Weed Mary Jane THC Drinks Ohio Law Hemp Bill THC Bill Gov. Dewine Ohio Governor Breweries Sue State Officials Calling Dewine’S Hemp Beverage Veto Unconstitutio Breweries Sue Ohio Officials Calling Dewine’S Hemp Beverage Veto Unconstitutio Senate Bill 56 Dewine Veto Hemp Is Hemp Legal In Ohio Is Hemp Still Legal In Ohio Can I Get A Hemp Beverage In Ohio Is It Legal To Sell Hemp Beverages In Ohio Fifty West Brewing Fifty West Brewing Company Urban Artifact Emergency Complaint Gov. Mike Dewine Carol Thompson James Kresge Andrew Mccartney How Has The Governor’S Vetoes Impacted Breweries? How Has The Governor’S Partial Veto Impacted Brewe Sarene Craft Beer Distributors\ Cycling Frog Urban Artifact CFO Scotty Hunter Cincinnati News Columbus News Lawsuit Lawsuit News Ohio Supreme Court Ohio News Mike Dewine Bobby Slattery Layoffs Loss Of Revenue Ohio Breweries Political News Politics Ohio SB 56
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