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Local craft breweries are sounding the alarm as the proposed ban on hemp-derived drinks threatens a growing revenue stream.
Industry groups warn that a bill to restrict intoxicating hemp drinks could result in job losses in Cincinnati’s brewing sector due to the hemp drink ban.
Brewing industry faces regulatory headwinds
The Ohio Capital Journal reported that Cincinnati-area breweries say the proposed hemp drink ban would undercut a budding segment of their business just as it was gaining momentum.
Under the legislation being advanced by Ohio lawmakers, most “intoxicating hemp” products, including beverages infused with hemp-derived THC, would be banned or restricted to licensed dispensaries.
Moreover, according to Cannabis Business Times, the shift follows a statewide crackdown. In October 2025, Mike DeWine issued an executive order halting sales of intoxicating hemp products for 90 days, citing public-health and safety concerns.
For breweries that invested in hemp-derived beverages, the uncertainty is not just regulatory, it’s financial. As one Cincinnati beer distributor told WCPO: a full ban would be “hugely detrimental.”
Mixed fortunes: Some benefit, others suffer
Not all breweries view the hemp product ban the same way. For example, Fifty West Brewery, one of the first in Ohio to experiment with hemp-infused seltzers, has seen sales surge in recent months, in part due to consumer curiosity and stockpiling ahead of the ban on hemp drinks.
Fifty West said consumer interest in its Sunflower THC seltzer grew rapidly. Urban Artifact’s leadership told local reporters they saw a sharp decline in reorders after retailers paused purchases, WCPO reported.
That kind of volatility results from market fear over the potential hemp drink ban, threatening not only sales but jobs. Brewery staff, distributors, and retail partners all stand to lose income if hemp drinks vanish from the market.
Statewide regulation reshapes market
The push to ban intoxicating hemp comes after a two-year legislative debate over how to handle hemp-derived THC products. Earlier proposals sought to regulate them similarly to alcohol, with testing, age restrictions, and licensing for dispensaries.
But in recent weeks, lawmakers and state leadership moved toward a stricter approach.
Lawmakers framed the compromise in light of new federal guidance, but analysts say the legal landscape is still shifting.
Supporters of the stricter regulation cite concerns about untested products and accessibility to minors. Opponents warn the hemp drink restrictions could destroy legitimate businesses that adapted responsibly, including craft breweries.
Impact on local jobs and economy
For Cincinnati’s brewing community, the stakes go beyond individual products; they involve the broader local economy.
According to industry sources, revenue from hemp-infused beverages had begun contributing meaningfully to sales, helping offset costs amid rising prices for raw materials like aluminum cans, steel, and barley.
If the hemp drink ban takes effect, many breweries fear they may need to cut staff or close taproom operations entirely. One owner told local reporters that the ban is “heartbreaking,” noting that some employees may lose their jobs.
For distributors, wholesalers, and retailers who invested in inventory or marketing for hemp drinks, the sudden shift could disrupt cash flow and lead to unsold stock. Retailers that began stocking these drinks just months ago face particular risk.
What’s next: Legislative showdown and industry uncertainty
Ohio’s legislature is poised to finalize a new hemp-THC bill this week. The legislation would ban most intoxicating hemp products, including beverages, outside of regulated dispensaries.
If passed, breweries may no longer legally sell hemp drinks, or may only do so under new, stringent licensing conditions. It could force craft brewers to re-evaluate their product lines, business plans, and staffing.
Industry advocates warn of long-term consequences. Some predict the ban could “wipe out an entire industry,” in the words of one Cincinnati brewer, Scotty Hunter, Urban Artifact’s CFO and head of sales.
Others argue that lawful, tested hemp-derived drinks should remain available through regulated channels, and that a full hemp drink ban could push demand underground.
Trade groups like the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance (ORHA) have argued that if properly licensed, hemp drinks could be taxed and regulated similarly to alcohol, maintaining safety while preserving business.
What this means for Cincinnati consumers and workers
For consumers, the ban could reduce drink options at local breweries and bars, especially for customers seeking alternatives to alcohol. Some have viewed hemp-derived beverages as lower-calorie, alcohol-free options.
As a result of the potential hemp drink ban, workers face uncertainty; the risk extends beyond breweries. Taproom staff, warehouse workers, delivery drivers, and retail clerks could all see reduced hours or layoffs if demand drops sharply.
Local economies built around craft brewing, distribution, events, hospitality may also feel the effects. A contraction in that sector could ripple into related businesses such as bars, restaurants, and retail.
Potential paths forward
If lawmakers wish to balance public safety with economic vitality, regulation, not blanket bans, may offer a compromise. Licensing, testing, proper labeling, age verification, and tax frameworks (similar to alcohol regulation) remain viable tools.
Some in the industry hope for carve-outs that allow hemp drinks in bars or brewpubs under strict oversight, or legislation that treats hemp beverages differently from other cannabis products.
Others call for more data-driven discussion, noting that properly regulated hemp drinks, produced and sold responsibly, pose less risk than unregulated products sold in convenience stores.
For Cincinnati’s craft-brew community, the coming weeks may determine whether hemp drinks remain part of their portfolio or vanish entirely.
/ With reports from Ohio Capital Journal, WCPO, Wosu Public Media, Cincinnati Citybeat
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