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Efforts to regulate intoxicating hemp substances in Illinois were shot down this week in what the state’s Governor JB Pritzker called a missed opportunity.
In yet another state-centred effort to crack down on intoxicating hemp substances amid the continued lack of federal progress, HB4293 sought to ban the sale of products like HHC and Delta 8 outside of licenced cannabis dispensaries, a relatively liberal approach compared to other states’ efforts.
However, despite personal lobbying efforts from Pritzker during the lame-duck session, the bill failed to secure the necessary number of votes in the House of Representatives.
In a letter to the Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Healthy Alternatives (ILHAA) urged lawmakers to vote against the bill, stating that it would ‘would destroy the hemp industry in Illinois and devastate local farms, small businesses, and consumers.’
The group said that while it agreed with Senators and the Governor about the need for reasonable regulation, ‘technical flaws’ in the bill would cause Illinois to lose jobs and tax revenue by destroying businesses.
“Regulation is essential for the hemp industry, but HB4293 was introduced without meaningful input from the stakeholders who it directly impacts. The first opportunity for external review and comment on the bill’s language was May 22nd, during peak planting season for farmers. Just days later, the bill passed the Senate on May 26th,” they continued.
“Despite this rushed timeline, 773 witness slips were filed in opposition, compared to just 32 in support, reflecting the overwhelming concerns of Illinois hemp consumers, producers, and businesses. Thoughtful collaboration with industry stakeholders is vital to crafting balanced and effective legislation. We ask you to stop HB4293 and give us an opportunity to help craft hemp industry regulation that protects both consumers and Illinois’ economy.”
Pritzker expressed disappointment, stating that the failure to pass the bill was a missed opportunity to protect public safety, particularly for children.
However, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson had argued for more time to craft regulations that balance public safety with revenue generation and has advocated for taxing hemp businesses as an alternative approach, emphasizing the importance of preserving potential revenue streams for both state and local governments.
Alongside mandating that intoxicating hemp products be sold exclusively through licensed cannabis dispensaries, additional requirements for testing, labelling, and marketing restrictions were also proposed.
“}]] Efforts to regulate intoxicating hemp substances in Illinois were shot down this week in what the state’s Governor JB Pritzker called a missed opportunity. Read More
