icants

Hemp Business Owners in Illinois Call for Regulation Instead of Ban on Intoxicating Cannabinoids

Illinois Lawmakers Urged to Approve Hemp Industry Regulation Bill

Hemp business owners in Illinois are pushing for lawmakers to pass legislation that would regulate the state’s hemp industry, rather than a bill that would ban products containing intoxicating cannabinoids like delta-8 THC. The proposed ban, introduced by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, would also affect other hemp-derived intoxicants and could potentially harm the growing market for hemp products in the state.

Unregulated Products Widely Available at Retailers

Currently, products containing intoxicating cannabinoids are unregulated in Illinois and can be found at various retailers, including smoke shops, gas stations, and convenience stores. These products often come in the form of edibles, such as chips and sweets, that mimic popular brands. However, there is little information available about the ingredients and potential risks associated with these products.

Concerns Raised by Lawmakers and Industry Representatives

Democratic state Representative Barbara Hernandez expressed concerns about the lack of regulation and unknown ingredients in these products, stating that they could potentially be harmful to consumers. Lightford’s bill, known as the Hemp Consumer Products Act (SB3926), aims to address these concerns by establishing a licensing system for retailers and setting requirements for testing, packaging, and marketing of hemp products.

Opposition to the Ban and Support for Alternative Regulation Bill

The Illinois Cannabis Association, which supports Lightford’s bill, has called for a “pause” on the sale of hemp intoxicants until further research can be conducted. However, opponents of the bill argue that it is too strict and could cripple the state’s hemp industry. They are backing a separate bill (HB5306) introduced by Democratic state Representative La Shawn Ford, which they believe would provide more reasonable regulation without hindering the market for non-intoxicating hemp products like CBD.

Entrepreneurs Fear for the Future of Hemp Industry

Hemp business owners, like Jennifer Weiss, founder and CEO of Cubbington’s Cabinet in Chicago, are worried that Lightford’s bill would force them to shut down their businesses. They believe that the strict limits proposed in the bill would make it impossible to sell non-intoxicating products, ultimately hurting the industry and creating a new illicit market for hemp-derived intoxicants.

Call for a Balanced Approach to Hemp Regulation

In order to protect consumers, minors, and the state’s adult-use cannabis law, the Illinois hemp industry is calling for a balanced approach to regulation. They believe that Lightford’s bill is too extreme and could have negative consequences for the industry, while Ford’s bill offers a more reasonable solution that would allow for the continued growth of the hemp market in Illinois. 

Author