Ban on ‘intoxicating’ hemp, THC beverages, receives opposition from Ohio business owners

An episode of the Sound of Ideas podcast, hosted by Ideastream Public Media, titled "Ban on ‘intoxicating’ hemp, THC beverages, receives opposition from Ohio business owners" was published on April 8, 2026 and runs 51 minutes.

April 8, 2026 ·51m · Sound of Ideas

Summary

Ohio law sees backlash from business owners As THC and CBD-infused drinks grow in popularity, especially among people looking for alternatives to alcohol, Ohio's new law restricting hemp-derived products is changing how and where those beverages can be sold. After voters approved recreational cannabis use in 2023, a number of small businesses across the state began selling THC drinks, with some seeing demand rival traditional beer and wine. Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll discuss Senate Bill 56, signed in December and enacted in March, which makes selling hemp products like these illegal. At first, the law included a provision allowing THC beverages to continue being sold by breweries and retailers for a limited time. But Governor Mike DeWine used a line-item veto to remove that carveout, saying it could create confusion around how the products are regulated. The change has prompted legal challenges and created uncertainty for businesses that invested in the drinks, with some pulling products, cutting staff, shifting operations out of state or closing completely. And with a similar federal law set to take effect in November, the future of hemp products—and the businesses built around them—remains uncertain. Guests:- Brent Zimmerman, Founder and CEO, Saucy Brew Works- Steven Pauwels, Co-CEO, Great Lakes Brewing Company- Sarah Donaldson, Reporter/Producer, Statehouse News Bureau- Nick Marie, Owner, Buddy's Bud Co. How racial discrimination shapes the mental and physical health of youth of color Studies from the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry show that 90% of youth of color report encountering racial discrimination in their lifetime. Its impacts can shape their mental and physical health outcomes, but many families have found ways to help their children navigate those experiences by talking more openly about vulnerable topics and going to therapy. But experts say there are still gaps between how those conversations happen at home and how they are supported in clinical settings. A local lecture presented by the Case Western Reserve University Schubert Center for Child Studies will explore how families, providers and even new technologies can play a role in helping young people cope with race-related stress, and what more can be done to support their mental health. Later in the show, we'll get a preview of that conversation from this year's Kessler Freedheim Lecture speaker, Riana Elyse Anderson. Joining her for the conversation is Habeebah Rasheed Grimes, an expert in trauma-informed care and culturally responsive leadership. The two will be at the Tinkham Veale University Center Tuesday from noon to 1:30 pm. Register for the event at case.edu/schubertcenter. Guests:- Riana Elyse Anderson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Columbia University, School of Social Work- Habeebah Rasheed Grimes, Founder/Principal Consultant, Habeebah Rasheed Grimes LLC

Episode Description