Thomas G. Haren Analyzes Federal Marijuana Rescheduling, Ohio’s SB 56, and a Sandusky County Lawsuit on Sound of Ideas

Partner Thomas G. Haren joined the Sound of Ideas podcast to discuss the impacts of the federal government’s reclassification of state-licensed medical marijuana, the implementation of Ohio’s Senate Bill 56 (SB 56), and a Sandusky County lawsuit on state cannabis and intoxicating hemp regulation.

In the episode, “Law of the Land: Changes for Marijuana,” Tom breaks down what these developments mean for businesses, employers, and consumers in the state.

• Federal Rescheduling: The federal government’s reclassification of state-licensed medical marijuana to Schedule III creates uncertainty for Ohio businesses, which operate under dual licenses for both medical and adult use rather than maintaining separate licenses for each. A DEA hearing on June 29 could bring adult-use rescheduling closer.
• ADA Implications: Rescheduling may change how the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to employees of cannabis businesses. Tom encourages employers to proactively review drug-use policies and medical marijuana patient accommodations.
• Senate Bill 56: Tom raises concerns about consumer-rights challenges created by SB 56 and details the frustrations of hemp operators, while acknowledging that Ohio’s adult-use market continues to provide consumers with a wide range of safe, regulated products.
• Sandusky County Lawsuit: The plaintiff argues Ohio’s intrastate-only marijuana requirements violate the dormant Commerce Clause. If successful, Tom notes, the case could create a fully interstate marijuana market for the first time in the country.

Listen to the full episode here.

Tom represents licensed operators and ancillary service providers, advising cannabis clients on issues including license acquisition, corporate transactions, litigation, day-to-day business matters, strategic planning, municipal law, and regulatory compliance. He has led some of the largest M&A deals in the Ohio cannabis market, representing both the selling license holders and acquiring entities.

Ideastream Public Media’s daily public affairs podcast, Sound of Ideas, covers a variety of issues and topics relevant to Northeast Ohio.