ILHAA Continues Calls for Age Gating and Common Sense Regulation of the Hemp Industry – “The ILHAA extends its gratitude to the Illinois General Assembly for taking the time during its recent lame-duck session to consider the implications of House Bill 4293. We appreciate the legislators’ dedication to ensuring that the voices of small businesses were heard and that careful deliberation prevented the advancement of legislation that could have devastated our industry, threatening hundreds of companies and thousands of jobs across Illinois.
The ILHAA and its members have advocated for thoughtful and effective hemp regulations. We are encouraged that legislators are committed to crafting policies that strike a fair balance between protecting public interests and supporting small businesses, which are majority minority and women-owned. We stand ready and eager to collaborate with lawmakers and stakeholders to develop a regulatory framework that considers everyone.
We also recognize that comprehensive regulation takes time and careful consideration. However, one critical step can and should be taken immediately: implementing a law that limits the sale of hemp products to individuals aged 21 and over. Protecting children is a shared priority, and such age-gating legislation can be enacted swiftly to address this concern while broader regulatory measures are discussed.
It is disappointing that previous attempts at age-gating legislation have been delayed by the influence of larger industry interests seeking to eliminate competition and prevent shared negotiations. We urge state officials to put children’s safety first by advancing this type of law at the start of the 104th General Assembly. This proactive step would demonstrate Illinois’ commitment to protecting young consumers without unnecessarily stalling progress on broader regulatory solutions.
The ILHAA remains committed to working alongside policymakers to ensure the hemp industry in Illinois is both responsibly regulated and allowed to thrive. We look forward to continuing this important dialogue in the months ahead.” said Craig Katz, ILHAA Board Secretary.
ILHAA and responsible hemp businesses are filled with gratitude that the democratic process played out effectively, and a bill that would ban consumer access to mainstream wellness products and shut down thousands of businesses did not pass. ILHAA asks that legislators take responsible action to pass age-gating restrictions to protect children. Meanwhile, ILHAA asks the Governor and legislators to work with the industry to craft regulations to ensure products on the market follow strict quality testing standards, are accurately and appropriately labeled, and provide a taxation structure to benefit the people of Illinois.
The previously proposed legislation failed to address the issues of the exclusion of small businesses and family farmers by including hemp in the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA). The vast majority of those affected could not afford CRTA requirements. The legislation would have effectively created a monopoly for large marijuana companies at the expense of small businesses.
ILHAA seeks legislation that will protect Illinois revenue sources by continuing to allow the existence of small businesses and farms comprising the hemp industry in Illinois.
ILHAA Continues Calls for Age Gating and Common Sense Regulation of the Hemp Industry
