Governor DeWine Declares Consumer Product Emergency for Intoxicating Hemp

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today signed an executive order declaring an Adulterated Consumer Product Emergency for consumable items containing intoxicating hemp. The order requires Ohio retailers to cease the sale of all intoxicating hemp products by Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

According to Ohio Revised Code 3715.74, the governor has the authority to declare an Adulterated Consumer Product Emergency if there is reason to believe a product has been adulterated and presents a threat to public health and safety.

Clandestine chemists have created intoxicating hemp by manipulating compounds found in the legal, non-intoxicating hemp plant and creating intoxicating compounds, including delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC that are found in marijuana. The products create a high similar to marijuana, but unlike marijuana, intoxicating hemp is not regulated and is legal for anyone, including children, to purchase. Intoxicating hemp products have no quality control and are sold in a variety of stores marketed as candy, cookies, gummy candy, and other products that are attractive to youth.

"Intoxicating hemp products are known to have significant impacts on young, developing brains, yet these products are legally marketed to kids, sold to kids, and ingested by kids in Ohio," said Governor DeWine. “When voters chose to legalize marijuana, they voted for a highly regulated market that only allows sales at licensed dispensaries to those 21 and older. Intoxicating hemp completely bypasses these laws, and we must do more to keep these products away from kids.”

According to Ohio Poison Control, exposures to delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC among those ages 19 or younger increased from 419 in 2021 to 994 in 2024, with more than half of all cases involving children ages five and under. The number of exposures in the 0-5 age group nearly tripled with 202 exposures 2021 to 555 in 2024. Ohio Poison Control also reports that about 90% of delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC exposures involving children up to age 12 resulted in an emergency department visit, and approximately two-thirds of these cases required hospitalization.  

The emergency order will not go into effect until Tuesday, October 14, 2025, to give retailers time to remove intoxicating hemp products from their shelves. When the order is active, local and state authorities – including the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) – will have the authority to seize intoxicating hemp products still available for sale. Retailers who continue selling intoxicating hemp could be fined $500 each day the products remain on sale.

Ohio law allows the consumer product safety emergency to be in effect for a maximum of 90 days, unless renewed by the Ohio General Assembly.

The executive order also directs ODA to change the administrative rules that define hemp and hemp products in Ohio. This change to the Ohio Administrative Code will exclude adulterated, intoxicating hemp from the definition of what is considered legal hemp. The executive order suspends the normal rulemaking procedures to allow for the adoption of the revised definitions. The rule will be valid for 120 days, allowing time for the regular rulemaking process to proceed with the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.

The full executive order signed by Governor DeWine today can be found at governor.ohio.gov. The order does not apply to non-intoxicating hemp products legalized by the Ohio General Assembly in 2019 and has no impact on the regulated sale of marijuana.

Ohio Decriminalizes Fentanyl Test Strips to Combat Overdose Crisis

Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order Wednesday allowing the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to legalize drug testing tools aimed at preventing overdoses.

The emergency rule exempts test strips and reagent kits from the state’s drug paraphernalia definition. The tools can detect fentanyl, xylazine, medetomidine, benzimidazole-opioids — commonly known as nitazenes — and benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-related compounds. Drug test strips aid in harm reduction efforts and allow users to test substances for the presence of compounds that are contributing to overdose fatalities.

The Passing of Carolyn Givens

We are sad to share that Carolyn Givens, former ODADAS Director and passionate executive leader and advocate for substance use services passed away peacefully on September 29, 2025 at the Cleveland Clinic. Carolyn’s obituary offers a tribute to her incredible legacy of public service and passionate advocacy for community substance use service and her deep love for her family.  Additional information about a celebration of life will be forthcoming.  The Ohio Council remembers Carolyn for her years of dedicated service, passion, and desire to support individuals and communities in recovery. We extend our sincere condolences to her family and friends.

Governor DeWine Announces Departure of Ohio Department of Behavioral Health Director Cornyn

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Governor Mike DeWine today announced that Ohio Department of Behavioral Health Director LeeAnne Cornyn informed him that she will leave her position, effective October 8, 2025.

“I want to thank Director Cornyn for her advocacy on behalf of people with mental health and substance use disorders,” said Governor DeWine. “LeeAnne has been a champion for some of our most vulnerable citizens and has been tireless in advocating for our work building out a system of care across the state.”

Cornyn was appointed in December 2023 to serve as Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, now known as the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. Prior to her appointment, Cornyn served as Governor DeWine’s Deputy Chief of Staff where her responsibilities included oversight of the health, mental health, human services, education, and children’s issues policy portfolio.  Cornyn also served as the Director of Cabinet Affairs, where she acted as a liaison between the Governor and his 26 state agency directors.   She was the first Director of Children’s Initiatives, a position Governor DeWine created minutes after being sworn in as governor.

Until a new director is named, Assistant Director Tia Marcel Moretti will serve as interim director.