As Illinois considers banning all hemp-related products, others are calling for uniform laws

Some Illinois lawmakers have proposed laws to regulate hemp, while others are calling for the federal government to get involved.

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.