Great Lakes Brewing, Rhinegeist sue Ohio over THC drink restrictions

Two beverage makers challenge state limits on THC-infused drinks, following a July federal court ruling that permitted such sales.

FILE — statehouse · B.D. Gilfry / CC BY-SA 2.0

Great Lakes Brewing and Rhinegeist have filed suit against Ohio over restrictions on THC-infused beverages, according to Crain's Cleveland Business. The lawsuit arrives roughly three weeks after a federal court ruling in July allowed the sale of THC-infused drinks in Ohio for certain companies—a decision that appears to have created legal opening for industry challengers.

The timing suggests brewers view the federal ruling as precedent to contest what they see as overly restrictive state rules. Ohio's cannabis market remains active on the retail front: the state added three new dispensary licenses on August 4 alone (Certified Dispensary, Story Dispensary, and Greenstock), bringing the open retail count to 221. However, the regulatory uncertainty around beverage products underscores ongoing friction between state limits and industry appetite.

Watch whether Ohio regulators respond to the suit by clarifying or revising THC drink rules, or whether additional court proceedings will be needed to settle the scope of allowable products in the state.