Illinois Gov. Asks Lawmakers to Pass Hemp Product Restrictions

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced on Friday he supports a proposal currently stalled in the House which seeks to regulate intoxicating hemp products similar to the state’s cannabis industry.

The proposal includes new testing requirements for hemp-derived cannabinoid products and rules to prevent product packaging that either mimics other popular brands or could be attractive to children. The legislation would also set an age limit of 21 years old for purchasing intoxicating hemp products and would require such products to be sold only at licensed cannabis dispensaries — the products are currently available in gas stations, smoke shops, and even stand-alone hemp product stores.

“This regulatory gray area has created a loophole that put Illinois consumers of all ages, but particularly children, in danger while an underground market flourished — the exact opposite of what Illinois has done by regulating our cannabis industry. We’re closing that loophole and protecting Illinoisans of all ages by incorporating these products into the regulated and equitable system of dispensaries already in place in the state.” — Gov. Pritzker, in a press release

The Illinois Hemp Business Association said in a statement that while it supports regulations to protect consumers, the proposal is a “full-scale ban” that would wipe out the state’s hemp industry. “The legislation would benefit large marijuana corporations at the expense of Illinois residents and the legitimate small businesses that follow federal law, yet does nothing to curb online sales of hemp products to minors from out-of-state companies,” the group said.

State Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Democrat from Chicago, told The Center Square he would prefer a more regulated approach: “I do not think we want to hurt our economy by regulating hemp companies out of existence. That will only fuel the ugly war on drugs and encourage crime, move consumers to an illegal unsafe market, and drive thriving companies out of Illinois.”