CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Tri-State businesses that sell hemp-derived THC products say they are concerned about their future as House lawmakers prepare to vote on a bill to reopen the government that includes an amendment outlawing the sale of some hemp products.
Drew Schulte, owner of Cappy’s in Norwood, said about 28% of his business comes from THC sales.
The bill passed by the Senate includes an amendment outlawing the sale of hemp-derived products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC.
“When you immediately take away a third of somebody’s business, how do you expect a business to survive?” Schulte asks.
Business owners fear economic impact
If passed, Schulte said the effects could be devastating for him and his business, describing it as a full prohibition on THC drinks.
“It makes it harder for me to run a small business, it affects the way I can pay bills, but it also affects the way I can pay my staff, adding staff, reducing staff,” he said. “If you’re immediately taking away 28% of your business, it’s a dramatic effect.”
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The bill has been a split issue for some Republican senators.
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul introduced an amendment removing the ban from the bill, while Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has been pushing for these products to be banned.
Beverage manufacturers see growing market
Bobby Slattery, founder of 50 West Brewing, said he has seen the popularity of their Sunflower THC products firsthand.
“The fact of the matter is there’s less people drinking alcohol than ever before, and we’re a beverage manufacturer, we make an alcoholic beverage. That was what was so fun for us with Sunflower was watching who this customer base was and watching them come in,” Slattery said.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine banned the sale of these products in October with an executive order.
The ban was then lifted when the state passed regulations.
Slattery said dealing with a possible ban on a federal level is deja vu from when he fought for THC-infused drinks on a state level.
“A lot of people, they chose it for health reasons, and I think the state saw that and they helped write some guidelines in place that were all supposed to come through and now with the federal ban, we’re going to have 365 days to go talk at the federal level to get them on board with what we just did at the state level,” he said.
Schulte said they are already carrying less THC inventory due to the uncertainty on the state level and are hoping some clarity can be made on what they can and cannot sell soon.
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