A newly proposed city ordinance looks to do what the state of Illinois has not — regulate the sale of hemp products like Delta-8 joints, baked goods and drinks sold outside of dispensaries.
Hemp-derived THC uses a regulation loophole to get around state cannabis regulations, which include standards for safety. Ald. William Hall (6th) is proposing an ordinance to regulate the sale of hemp products in Chicago through licensing, age verification, and compliance measures for hemp businesses. It would also tax the product.
It doesn't regulate the product itself, which is what some lawmakers and the cannabis industry are pushing for. "This ordinance will make Chicago a leader in hemp regulation — protecting public health, supporting our communities, and creating a fair business environment," Hall said in a statement.
Hemp and marijuana are different types of cannabis. Both have the active ingredient THC, the compound that gets users high. But hemp has much less THC than marijuana. Hemp-derived THC is legal because of a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Source: Axios Chicago