U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Helmick issued a two‑week restraining order on Aug. 7 allowing 14 businesses, including Rhinegeist and Fifty West, to resume sales of THC beverages while they challenge Ohio's restrictions under Senate Bill 56. The businesses sued state officials and 96 local prosecutors, asking protection from enforcement so long as they follow federal law and Ohio rules that predated SB 56. Helmick had earlier granted a July 13 injunction for other sellers; litigation continues and the rulings are temporary.
Judge Temporarily Allows 14 Ohio Businesses, Including Rhinegeist and Fifty West, To Resume THC Drink Sales
Fifty West Brewing Co. in Cincinnati sells a line of THC seltzers called Sunflower.
A federal judge on Aug. 7 issued a two‑week restraining order that temporarily allows 14 companies to resume sales of THC beverages in Ohio while litigation proceeds challenging the state's new restrictions under Senate Bill 56.
What the Ruling Says
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Helmick signed the order less than a month after issuing a preliminary injunction that had already permitted 10 companies in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Nelsonville and other locations to sell THC drinks and other hemp-derived products. The new two‑week order extends similar temporary protection to an additional group of businesses named as plaintiffs in the current lawsuit.
Plaintiffs And Defendants
The plaintiffs sued the State of Ohio and multiple state officials, including the superintendent of the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control, the executive director of the Ohio Investigative Unit, the superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and 96 county and municipal prosecutors' offices.
Urban Artifact brewery is housed in a former church as 1662 Blue Rock St. in Northside.
Businesses Named In The Lawsuit
- Delta Beverages Inc.
- Crescent Canna
- Cheech and Chong's Beverages
- Torch Drinks LLC
- Fifty West Brewing Company LLC
- Athens Beverage LLC
- The Great Lakes Brewing Co. (Cleveland)
- Seventh Son Brewing (Columbus)
- Rhinegeist (Cincinnati)
- Uncle Arnie's
- Mile High Cure Corp.
- Hometown Hero
- Thee Hemp Co.
- Lifted Liquids Inc.
The plaintiffs say they either operate outside Ohio, source hemp from other states, or both, and they asked the court to bar any criminal, civil or administrative action against them for selling hemp-derived products so long as they comply with federal law and with Ohio statutes that existed before passage of Senate Bill 56.
Legal Context And Next Steps
Helmick previously granted a separate preliminary injunction on July 13 in another lawsuit, allowing businesses such as Cincinnati-based Urban Artifact to continue selling THC beverages while that case proceeds. Both rulings are temporary and will remain in place only while the related litigation continues.
Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 56 on Dec. 19. The bill originally included a grace period that would have allowed breweries, bars and retailers to sell THC beverages through 2026, but the governor vetoed that provision, which resulted in sales being prohibited after March 20. The parties will continue litigating whether the state may enforce SB 56 as written.
Implication: The restraining order provides short-term relief for the named businesses, but a final resolution will depend on the outcome of ongoing federal litigation.
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