CHICAGO — The Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association, a hemp industry trade group, asked a judge on Thursday, Nov. 5, for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against Attorney General Kwame Raoul and other state officials to block the Illinois Hemp Act, Block Club Chicago reported. The law takes effect Nov. 12.
What the law does
The act would ban the sale of hemp-derived THC beverages and cannabinoid products outside licensed dispensaries, Block Club reported. The complaint argues it violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Who says they are affected
The trade group says the industry employs thousands of people in Illinois and generated more than $500 million in sales last year, with $30 million going to the state. Hemp THC drinks have become a lifeline for Chicago breweries including Revolution, Hopewell and Marz, Block Club reported.
Hopewell co-founder Jonathan Fritz told Block Club the law would “completely eliminate the THC beverage category.”
What happens next
A win in court may not save the industry. A federal ban on intoxicating hemp products is set to begin Dec. 11, though pending legislation would extend that deadline to 2028, Block Club reported.
More coverage is in our Chicago section.
Sources
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