Illinois legalized the recreational use of marijuana in 2019, with the production and sale of drug being heavily regulated by the state. Hemp was legalized in the state the same year it was legalized federally. However, intoxicating products derived from hemp like delta-8 THC remain unregulated in the state and are sold in numerous outlets.
To help control the proliferation of these products in the market, Sen. Kimberly Lightford sponsored legislation that would’ve imposed similar regulations as marijuana on hemp. Soon after this, Gov. JB Pritzker made the legislation a priority as minors had easy access to these unregulated products.
This move was opposed by hemp businesses, who argued that the primary goal was to eliminate competition for major marijuana firms. While the legislation was approved by the state’s Senate with no hitches and seemed to have enough support in the House, House Speaker Emanuel Welch refused to call it for a vote this month.
Elections records now show that political figures that helped block the measure accepted contributions to their campaigns from groups and individuals associated with the hemp industry. A lobbyist for the Illinois Hemp Business Association, Charles Wu, gave $9000 to the People for Emanuel Chris Welch campaign fund. The Council for the Safe Regulation of Delta also donated $10,000 to the same campaign fund.
Organic Pharma Techs LLC, which is part of the hemp business association, also donated $10,000 to Welch. Wu gave an additional $450 to another fund overseen by Welch while another lobbying campaign that represents Nexem Inc. donated $1000. In addition, lobbyist Dan Shomon made 2 five-hundred-dollar donations to Welch in June and September 2024.
These figures are small in comparison to the millions upon millions in donations made by the marijuana industry in the last couple of years though, with Wu noting that these minor contributions wouldn’t have influenced an individual’s position on major policies.
State Reps. Theresa Mah and La Shawn Ford also floated alternative measures that were favored by the hemp industry. Their approach focused on limiting sales to individuals aged 21 and above, requiring manufacturers to undertake product testing to acquire licenses, and preventing the use of packaging that could appeal to minors.
Following the stalling of Lightford’s measure, Pritzker argued that this was a demonstration of the power of special interests and funds that are used to obstruct the safety and health of the public.
Focus has now moved to the city, with Alds. Silvana Tabares and Marty Quinn having already introduced an ordinance that bans the sale of these products in their wards. Ald. William Hall is also proposing a plan to regulate hemp stores.
If only the federal government could come up with comprehensive guidelines on how hemp can be regulated across the country, operators like Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) in different jurisdictions would have clarity and determine how best to serve their customers and grow in the years to come.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/SFWJ
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