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Proposed legislation would decimate Illinois hemp industry
The president of the Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association says a proposal in the General Assembly would decimate the state’s hemp industry.
Justin Ward says the bill, which seeks to ban the sale of products like HHC and Delta 8 outside of licensed cannabis dispensaries, would put many hemp farmers out of business.
“It would absolutely wipe out the entire hemp industry here in Illinois.” He says, “It would make 95% of the products currently available on the market, and widely popular among Illinois consumers, illegal. This would be hugely detrimental to farms like ourselves, potentially putting us out of business.”
AUDIO: Justin Ward – Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association
Rachel Berry, president of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association, tells Brownfield the growers and their products comply with federal law established by the 2018 Farm Bill.
“People seem to be choosing them frequently over marijuana products, which you know are heavily taxed and you have to go to a dispensary to get them.” She says, “You know, people are choosing hemp products, so the marijuana industry and the governor see this as something that is encroaching on the marijuana industry bottom line.”
Both groups want to see the industry better regulated with stakeholder input. Berry says such a proposal was also brought forward in 2024.
“That bill will actually make the hemp industry more inclusive by making hemp a recognized ingredient, so it wouldn’t be considered an adulterant anymore.” She says, “It would also make it so all these hemp products have to be 21 and up. It would also tighten up testing and labeling so that we have stricter requirements.”
Neither bill was called in the lame duck session, but Ward, who’s also co-founder of Stoney Branch Farms in Rushville, says he expects the issue to re-surface in the spring legislative session.
AUDIO: Rachel Berry – Illinois Hemp Growers Association
Tags: 2018 Farm Bill, Crops, hemp, hemp products, Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association, Illinois Hemp Growers Association, marijuana
The president of the Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association says a proposal in the General Assembly would decimate the state’s hemp industry. Justin Ward says the bill, which seeks to ban the sale of products like HHC and Delta 8 outside of licensed cannabis dispensaries, would put many hemp farmers out of business. “It would absolutely Read More
