Ohio’s hemp industry is pushing back hard against Governor Mike DeWine’s recent executive order banning so-called “intoxicating hemp” products, and for good reason. The order, issued without legislative approval, threatens the livelihoods of thousands of small businesses across the state.
As covered by 10TV, industry leaders and stakeholders gathered at the Ohio Statehouse to voice their opposition. Among those defending lawful businesses and constitutional governance was Dakota R. Sawyer of Statesman Limited, who was quoted as saying:
“These people here that represent some of the industry, these people do the right thing. Hemp itself has not killed a single person in the United States, but this executive order will kill small businesses.”
That statement reflects not just the sentiment of frustrated shop owners it represents the broader philosophy of Statesman: government decisions must be lawful, measured, and respectful of the economic engines that keep Ohio strong.
An Executive Order That Overreaches Its Authority
Governor DeWine’s sudden 90-day ban attempted to shut down the sale of a wide array of hemp-derived products, including delta-8 THC edibles and beverages, outside licensed dispensaries.
The problem?
Ohio law and federal law under the 2018 Farm Bill already define hemp clearly. Thousands of businesses invested in inventory, equipment, and jobs based on those statutes.
DeWine’s order attempted to override that legislative framework overnight.
For Statesman Limited, this is exactly the kind of regulatory whiplash we warn policymakers about: rushed, reactive executive action that ignores legal structure and devastates innocent operators.
Small Businesses Sound the Alarm, And Statesman Stands With Them
The hemp industry is woven deeply into Ohio’s small-business economy. Smoke shops, family-owned retailers, farmers, and manufacturers built their livelihoods around a well-understood, legally defined commodity.
The ban threatened to turn compliant business owners into criminals for simply selling products they’ve sold lawfully for years.
That’s why the reaction was swift. Business owners, trade groups, and stakeholders rallied — not out of defiance, but out of necessity.
Sawyer’s quote captured the core truth:
Hemp isn’t the threat; here, government overreach is.
Courts Push Back: A Win for Rule of Law
On October 14, the industry’s legal challenge resulted in a temporary restraining order blocking the ban a significant victory for due process and constitutional governance.
The judge signaled what Statesman has long emphasized:
- The governor cannot unilaterally redefine an entire industry.
- Executive orders cannot replace clear statutory definitions.
- Regulation belongs in the legislature, not in sudden emergency declarations.
For business owners facing economic ruin, the TRO wasn’t just legal relief — it was reassurance that the system works when challenged.
Public Safety Matters, But Policy Must Be Rational, Not Reactionary
Statesman has consistently supported:
- Age restrictions
- Product testing
- Accurate labeling
- Removing bad actors from the market
But those measures require legislation, not blanket bans that punish every compliant retailer along with the irresponsible few.
Public safety is important, but so is economic freedom, property rights, and predictable rulemaking.
The Statesman Position Moving Forward
This episode reaffirms why Statesman Limited and Ohio Republic Policy are building a stronger voice in Midwestern governance. We advocate for:
- Transparent, lawful policymaking grounded in statute
- Stable regulatory frameworks that allow businesses to invest confidently
- Protection of small businesses from disruptive executive actions
- Smart, targeted regulation instead of sweeping bans
The hemp industry is only one example. Whenever the government oversteps, whether intentionally or through political panic, Statesman will continue leading the charge for constitutional boundaries, economic stability, and principled governance.