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Hemp is part of the cannabis family but is not the same as
marijuana, which was legalized for recreational use beginning in
2020.
Last year, the debate around regulating certain intoxicating
hemp products like Delta 8 found support from Gov. J.B. Pritzker,
but it never advanced. Last month on the House floor, state Rep.
Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, said he rarely agrees
with Pritzker about anything, but regulations are needed.
“The governor’s right,” McLaughlin said. “We have a well
established regulatory system for legal cannabis, so why the
hesitation here, friends?”
Craig Katz is with the Illinois Healthy Alternatives
Association.
“We are trying to make sure that the regulations that are passed
will both protect children and consumers as well as members of
the industry who have put forth their blood, sweat and tears to
establish businesses,” Katz told The Center Square.
Those pushing for regulations say they want to crack down on
intoxicating hemp products being sold under labels similar to
candy and chip companies. Katz said not all involved in the hemp
industry are bad actors and whatever advances shouldn’t ban hemp
outright.
“We certainly don’t want to see the hemp industry put into the
same [Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act] as the marijuana industry
is,” Katz said.
There are common sense regulations to keep hemp products legal,
Katz said. He is also advocating for a hemp tax structure in the
state of Illinois.
“The hemp industry is a billion dollar industry and right now
it’s not regulated in such a way as to provide additional
taxation, which is a revenue source the state badly needs,” he
said.
Legislators return Tuesday for the final weeks of legislative
session. They’re scheduled to adjourn by May 31.
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