(The Center Square) – The debate around how to regulate hemp products in Illinois continues with some calling for action and others calling for sensible rules.
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.
