SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers left Springfield last week without getting a plan to ban Delta-8 products across the finish line. A bipartisan group of lawmakers and Gov. JB Pritzker are concerned about the potential of more children and adults getting sick from the unregulated synthetic THC products over the summer.
Illinois legalized recreational cannabis in 2019 to light up the economy with the multi-billion dollar industry and invest in communities wronged by the War on Drugs. However, hemp products are still unregulated and many people sell synthetic THC products in gas stations, smoke shops and retail stores disguised as dispensaries.
"There's no restriction on who gets it, how much they get, etc," Pritzker said. "So, I really believe that we need to step back and ask what is in the best interest of the health of kids and adults across the state. I think regulating it is proper."
House Bill 4293 could create a regulatory framework for hemp products and establish standards for licensing, testing and labeling. Sponsors and advocates believe that change could prevent people from getting access to Delta-8 products that could be confused with candy, chips, cookies and other common goods.
"Last year, there were multiple instances of school children all across the state and in the Chicago area presenting to hospitals displaying overdose symptoms from the ingestion of THC," said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood).
Licensed dispensaries would be the only businesses permitted to sell hemp-derived THC, including Delta-8 products. Although, certain retailers and manufacturers could sell drinks derived from hemp until January 20, 2025.
Social equity craft growers and infusers would be allowed to process hemp by extracting the naturally occurring chemicals into concentrates as well. All products made by hemp processors must be sold to either social equity craft growers or infusers starting July 1.
"I just want to make sure that if we find that we are damaging the hemp industry in the regulation of non-intoxicating products, that we will re-look at this," said Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy).
Tiffany Chappell Ingram, Executive Director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, holds a bag of Fritos next to a bag containing 600 milligrams of Delta-8.
The Illinois Senate passed the legislation on a 54-1 vote on May 26. All eyes moved to the House, but the Democratic majority in the chamber fell short of the 60 votes needed to pass bills.
Pritzker told WAND News that he hopes this proposal will be a top priority during veto session this fall. House Democrats could try to pass the proposal in November, but they will need a considerable amount of support from Republicans to have three-fifths of the House voting for legislation after May 31.
"Sometimes things need to work their way through peoples' minds," Pritzker said. "They have to listen to people in their districts. They'll think about it more and hear an argument that makes more sense to them than the one they heard last. I'm disappointed in a way that the bill didn't go through, but I'm not surprised."
The Cannabis Business Association of Illinois said despite overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate, there is clearly more work to do to educate legislators about these important matters.
"We are disappointed the House failed to pass needed reforms to our state's cannabis laws and will continue to allow synthetic hemp products that are sickening children and adults to be sold with no oversight," said CBAI Executive Director Tiffany Chappell Ingram. "We appreciate the efforts of Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford and House Assistant Majority Leader Kam Buckner and look forward to continuing conversations in the coming months."
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