Ohio SB 56: Why We’re Fighting Back - And Why We Need You to Join Us

Ohio voters made their voices clear in 2023 when they approved Issue 2 and chose a future where hemp and cannabis products could be sold responsibly, safely, and openly. That vote wasn’t ambiguous. It wasn’t close. It wasn’t misunderstood. It was a mandate from the people of Ohio.

But today, that mandate is under threat.

Senate Bill 56 (SB 56), signed into law in late 2025, dramatically rewrites the rules Ohioans voted for and imposes sweeping restrictions on hemp-derived products across the state. The bill is already facing a major pushback effort from citizens, small businesses, and industry advocates who believe Ohioans deserve the right to decide whether these new restrictions should stand. A referendum effort is now underway, and we are joining that fight with everything we have.

At Waterbeds 'n' Stuff, we're collecting signatures at all 12 of our store locations to help repeal SB 56, and we need your help to make it happen.

This is our moment to stand together, protect voter-approved rights, and defend Ohio’s hemp community from government overreach.

What SB 56 Actually Does, And Why It Matters

SB 56 is not a minor regulatory update. It is a sweeping overhaul of Ohio’s hemp and cannabis framework that directly contradicts the will of the voters.

Here are the most critical changes:

1. SB 56 severely restricts intoxicating hemp products

The law requires any hemp product containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container to be sold only in licensed dispensaries. That threshold is so low that it effectively bans the majority of hemp-derived products currently sold in Ohio’s retail market. (WVXU)

This includes many popular items such as:

• Delta-8 edibles
• Full-spectrum gummies
• Hemp-derived beverages
• Broad-spectrum tinctures

For thousands of Ohioans who rely on these products for wellness, relaxation, or pain relief, SB 56 would make them harder to access and significantly more expensive.

2. SB 56 rewrites key parts of Issue 2

Advocates have made it clear: SB 56 is not just regulation, it is a rollback of what voters already approved. A coalition of cannabis and hemp advocates has stated that the bill "rewrites key parts of Issue 2," undermining the democratic process and reversing the public’s decision. (Ohio Cannabis Information)

When voters say "yes" to a policy, they expect lawmakers to implement it, not quietly hollow it out.

3. SB 56 threatens small businesses across Ohio

Small retailers, local hemp shops, and independent wellness stores are the backbone of Ohio’s hemp economy. SB 56 would force many of these businesses to shut down or drastically reduce their offerings. As one advocacy group put it, the bill is "a direct attack on Ohio’s small business owners and restricts our choice." (Ohioans for Cannabis Choice (Facebook))

This isn't hypothetical, it’s already happening. Industry members have launched a statewide referendum effort because the consequences of SB 56 are so severe.

4. SB 56 mirrors broader efforts to narrow hemp access

SB 56 fits into a larger pattern of attempts to sharply limit hemp products by redefining what is considered acceptable THC content and where such products can be sold. Instead of focusing on safety, transparency, and responsible retailing, the bill leans toward prohibition and criminalization.

The bill aligns with a federal push to redefine hemp by limiting total THC concentration to less than 0.3%. This change would eliminate many hemp products that have been legally sold nationwide since 2018. (WVXU)

That’s why so many Ohioans see SB 56 as a step backward, not forward.

Ohioans Are Fighting Back, And You Can Too

A statewide referendum effort is already underway to repeal SB 56. The group leading the charge, Ohioans for Cannabis Choice, has submitted its initial petition signatures and received approval to begin full signature collection. (Statehouse News Bureau)

To get SB 56 on the ballot for voters to decide in November 2026, the campaign must collect 248,092 valid signatures from at least 44 counties by March 15th. If that threshold is met, SB 56 will be paused until Ohioans vote on it. (Ohio Cannabis Information)

This is the only path to stopping SB 56, and it depends entirely on everyday Ohioans stepping up.

Why This Referendum Matters

1. It protects the rights Ohioans already voted for

Issue 2 passed because Ohioans wanted safe, regulated access to hemp and cannabis products. SB 56 undermines that vote by reshaping the system into something far more restrictive than what was approved at the ballot box.

A referendum gives the power back to the people and asks a simple question: should SB 56 stand, or should the voters’ original decision be respected?

2. It defends small businesses

Local hemp retailers are facing existential threats. SB 56 would push many out of business, handing the market to a smaller number of heavily controlled outlets and larger players. That’s not what Ohio’s hemp community was built on.

When you sign the petition, you’re standing with the small businesses that have served you, educated you, and supported your wellness journey.

3. It preserves consumer choice

Ohioans deserve access to the products they rely on, not a government-imposed ban disguised as regulation. Responsible adults should be able to choose hemp products that work for them, as long as those products are tested, labeled, and sold transparently.

4. It stops government overreach

SB 56 is more than a policy disagreement. It’s a question of whether lawmakers can override a clear vote of the people. A successful referendum sends a message: when Ohioans speak at the ballot box, their decision must be respected.

Our Commitment: 12 Stores, One Mission

Waterbeds 'n' Stuff is fully committed to supporting the referendum effort and giving Ohioans the chance to vote on SB 56. That’s why all 12 of our store locations are now official signature-collection sites.

When you stop by to sign, you’re not just adding your name to a petition, you’re helping protect:

• Your rights
• Your community
• Your local businesses
• Your freedom to choose

Every signature matters. Every visit matters. Every voice matters.

What You Can Do Right Now

1. Visit any of our 12 stores and sign the petition

Signing takes less than two minutes. To sign, you must be an Ohio resident and a registered voter. If you’re not registered yet, we can help point you in the right direction so you can get registered and make your voice count.

2. Bring friends, family, and coworkers

One signature is powerful. Ten signatures are transformative. The referendum needs a very large number of valid signatures, and every person you bring with you helps get us closer.

Make it a group effort: stop by together, sign together, and stand together.

3. Spread the word

Many Ohioans still don’t know SB 56 exists, let alone how drastically it will affect their access to hemp products. Talk to people. Share posts. Tell your community what's at stake.

A simple conversation can be the difference between someone staying silent and someone taking action.

4. Support local businesses

Your purchases help keep small shops alive during this uncertain period. SB 56 threatens our entire industry. But together, we can push back by staying engaged, informed, and active.

Why Your Signature Truly Matters

A referendum is one of the most powerful tools Ohio citizens have. Under the state constitution, voters can challenge and overturn laws passed by the General Assembly through a citizen-led referendum. (The Marijuana Herald)

But this process only works if enough people participate.

If the required signatures are collected in time:

• SB 56 is immediately put on hold
• It cannot be enforced
• Ohioans will vote on it directly in November 2026

That means your signature doesn’t just help get the issue on the ballot, it actively stops SB 56 from taking effect.

This is one of the rare moments where a single action can have a direct, measurable impact on state law.

The Bigger Picture: What's at Stake for Ohio

During the past year Waterbeds 'n' Stuff has attended multiple assemblies regarding SB 56, filling the rooms with our owners, managers, and employees. We heard from many individuals about what is at stake if a bill like this passes.

Small business owners, who got a degree specifically so they could create a hemp business and do everything right, risk having to close their businesses. Nurses who care for patients who use marijuana will have to risk not only their job but their license if they're seen entering a dispensary for marijuana.  

1. The future of hemp access

Ohio has been a growing hub for hemp innovation and accessibility. SB 56 threatens to reverse years of progress by making it harder for responsible adults to access products that have been safely used and sold.

2. The survival of small businesses

Thousands of jobs and hundreds of storefronts depend on a fair, reasonable regulatory environment. SB 56 is not that. It tilts the playing field and puts independent operators at a severe disadvantage.

3. The integrity of Ohio's democratic process

When voters approve a measure, lawmakers should not be able to quietly undo it. A referendum is the public's check on legislative overreach and a reminder that ultimate authority rests with the people.

4. The health and wellness of Ohioans

Many people rely on hemp-derived products for sleep, stress relief, pain management, and overall well-being. Restricting access doesn't make those needs disappear, it just makes life harder for the people who depend on these products.

A Message to Our Community

At Waterbeds 'n' Stuff, we’ve always believed in the power of community. As a company, we've supported the rights of our fellow Ohioans by joining protests, sitting in assemblies at the courthouse, and, now, supporting referendums. Our stores are more than retail spaces, they're gathering places, support hubs, and safe environments where people can learn, explore, and find what works for them.

SB 56 threatens that.

But we're not backing down. And we know you won't either.

Ohioans have overturned harmful laws before. We can do it again. But only if we act, and act quickly.

The deadline for signatures is approaching fast. The window is closing. And the future of Ohio's hemp industry hangs in the balance.

Visit Us. Sign. Stand With Us.

We're asking, genuinely, urgently, for your help.

Stop by any of our 12 locations and sign the petition to challenge SB 56. Bring a friend. Bring two. Bring five. Every signature is a step toward protecting the rights Ohioans already voted for.

This is our chance to make history, defend our community, and ensure that Ohio’s hemp future remains in the hands of the people, not politicians.

Let's stand together. Let’s protect our rights. Let's stop SB 56.

Find a Waterbeds 'n' Stuff near you, sign the referendum to stop SB 56, and join thousands of Ohioans in making your voice heard.