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A Reason Foundation report shows that Congress federally
legalized hemp-derived products in the 2018 Farm Bill, but
failed to establish a regulatory framework. The report said that
states that legalized marijuana, like Illinois, are more
inclined to ban or restrict hemp-derived products.
“State regulations governing hemp products vary widely and are
unevenly enforced, creating a patchwork of rules that can change
dramatically from one state to the next,” Reason Foundation’s
Geoffrey Lawrence and Michelle Minton wrote. “This piecemeal
approach leaves consumers at risk, strains state resources, and
hampers the ability for even willing actors to comply with state
rules.”
The cannabis industry has been on attack against the hemp
industry. A new documentary that prominently features a Michigan
cannabis company is called “High Stakes.” The film about the
hemp industry shows the danger of a ”loophole” in the 2018 Farm
Bill that has allowed untested hemp-derived cannabinoid products
to enter the market, making them easily available to children
and teenagers.
Ray Stout, executive director of the Illinois Craft Brewers
Guild, said craft brewers produce hemp beverages that are safe
and those who want restrictions in Illinois were not forthcoming
with their legislation.
“That they’re going after the bad actors and the delta-8 gas
station people but in essence they’re going after the entire
hemp industry,” said Stout.
Stout believes 10% of breweries are making hemp-derived
beverages, which is equal to about 30, and another 40 to 50 that
are in various stages of research and development.
A measure that didn’t make it out of the Illinois General
Assembly would allow the sale of hemp products, but only by
businesses licensed under the current cannabis law. Gov. J.B.
Pritzker expects lawmakers to revisit the legislation.
The U.S. House has introduced the Cannabinoid Safety and
Regulation Act, legislation that would direct the FDA to
regulate intoxicating hemp products which are currently already
legal throughout the country. |
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