Pritzker signs hemp, cannabis regulation into law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a massive bill into law Friday to create new regulations for cannabis and hemp.

The law immediately bans the sale of intoxicating hemp products to people under 21. This was a top priority for lawmakers after multiple reports of minors sent to hospitals after they ate the products.

A new set of hemp regulations will kick in this November, including child-proof packaging and a ban on marketing and packaging catered to children. Pritzker has been pushing for this reform since 2024.

"Instead of letting an ambiguous marketplace keep putting people at risk, Illinois is taking action to protect consumers of all ages, especially children, from misleading packaging and labeling," Pritzker said.

This law will also reduce unnecessary burdens for many small and social equity cannabis shops. The legislation also increases possession limits for consumers.

"We were the first state to pass cannabis legislation by statute and our possession limits are lower than the states that have moved since," said Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago). "Now, we've moved those up from 30 grams to 60 grams of flower and corresponding for infused products and cannabis concentrate."

Another provision will allow people to buy medical marijuana at any dispensary in Illinois rather than solely at medical dispensaries. It addresses major changes in federal policy surrounding THC as well.

"These changes bring real structure to the hemp market, bring cannabis operations into the modern era, and make things easier for patients and small operators who have waited long enough," said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood).

Senate Bill 3222 passed out of the House on a 77-31 vote and received a 47-10 vote in the Senate. State senators and representatives voted on the measure in the final hours of session.