Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis

By Sean Reed | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Headed to the governor’s desk is legislation that will regulate and restrict some intoxicating hemp products and make some changes to current cannabis laws across the state of Illinois.

The measure, which stalled in the legislature in previous years, provides a wide-ranging collection of different adjustments to current law and imposes new regulations on hemp products before new federal regulations as part of Congress’ Farm Bill take effect later this year.

Among the changes, the act will create a pathway toward restricting and licensing sellers of intoxicating hemp products, which include the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, THC.

Paramount to the legislation, according to State Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Hillside, is heavy regulation on the hemp industry.

She told fellow lawmakers on the Senate floor that the act will effectively tighten up who can sell hemp-derived intoxicating products, effectively pushing them under the same umbrella as cannabis because they contain THC, a psychoactive ingredient in both types of products.

Further, she said the regulation will also immediately increase the age limit to purchase intoxicating hemp products to 21 years old once signed, which the senator said was important for protecting children from the previously unregulated products, which can often be found at gas stations and convenience stores.

“One of our top priorities was to protect our children. We know that the hemp industry was not regulated. There were intoxicated products on the streets and harming our young children,” Lightford said.

Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, said the measure also will increase the allowed possession limit for cannabis from the current 30 grams to 60 grams. He said the change is being done with the goal of bringing Illinois in line with nearby states that have legalized the substance.

While both chambers passed the measure with mostly bipartisan support, some Republican members did stand opposed.

In questioning, Minority House Floor Leader Patrick Windhorst, R-Harrisburg, asked Guzzardi about the ability for localities to impose regulations on cannabis dispensaries, which the law will now allow to be open from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.

“Law requires all dispensaries to close at 10:00. This would allow for dispensaries to stay open from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. But we are allowing municipalities to make local ordinances that would make that more restrictive,” Guzzardi said.

Portions of the law, such as the age requirements to purchase hemp products, will take effect upon the bill being signed into law. Other parts, primarily those focused on hemp product sales and regulation, will take effect at the same time federal regulations do in November.