Evanston RoundTable, Sept. 18, 2024
By Stacey Moragne, Jr., Fifth Ward native, lifelong Evanston resident and prospective hemp shop owner
Illinois is on the verge of fumbling an innovative and lucrative new industry that harnesses the therapeutic benefits of a lawful agricultural commodity – and our communities and small businesses will pay the price.
As a prospective hemp shop owner in Evanston, I was perplexed by the recent article “Hemp-derived THC confuses legal pot market, avoids reparations tax.” While the article described the intricacies of the legal hemp market, it overlooked something important: the need for clear and fair regulations that help our communities. Because of this current void and the uncertainty it creates, I’ve been putting off my dream of opening my own hemp business. Given Illinois’ economic environment, we should be doing all we can to strengthen opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses to revitalize the marketplace, which begins with regulatory certainty.
It’s my understanding that throughout the 2024 Spring Session, the hemp industry worked tirelessly to advocate for state regulations to ensure that hemp products are safe, appropriately packaged, and beneficial to customers. The simple notion that consumers should be able to trust that the products they purchase are safe and will work for their intended purpose seems like something everyone should be able to support – so why are we still waiting for industrywide standards?
One primary goal for the hemp industry has been to advocate for a product tax structure that reinvests in our neighborhoods. The idea is simple: Revenue from hemp sales should flow back into the communities where the products are sold. It’s not just about paying taxes; it’s about ensuring that the money generated by this industry supports the very people and places that make it possible. We want to see this revenue used to uplift our communities, provide resources, and create opportunities – particularly in areas that have been disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.
However, there’s a concerning trend emerging in Illinois’ approach to hemp regulation. While the state has legalized recreational marijuana – a federally illegal controlled substance – it seems to be villainizing hemp-derived products, which are legal under federal law and (as the article pointed out) have a lower concentration of delta-9 THC than marijuana.
Rather than complaining about Illinois’ current lack of hemp regulation, it’s time to work toward meaningful solutions that will deliver the consumer safety, tax revenue, and economic success that our residents deserve. We need thoughtful regulations that ensure hemp-derived products are safe and appropriately taxed while allowing the industry to thrive. Blanket bans and overly restrictive regulations, such as those proposed by lawmakers in House Bill 4293 this Spring Session, could devastate a lawful and beneficial industry. And though the bill didn’t pass, it could be considered again in the coming months.
HB 4293 would result in a ban on several currently legal hemp products – including CBD products widely used by consumers and pets for their wellness benefits – and impose unrealistic requirements that would make the manufacturing process illegal even though the end product would be lawful. This would destroy a vibrant, diverse, and growing industry, cutting off consumer access to therapeutic products that improve their quality of life. It would also have a significant economic impact on local communities when businesses are forced to shutter, relocate to another state, or never even open at all.
By creating a regulatory framework that supports both hemp businesses and consumer safety, we can build a strong, trustworthy industry that benefits everyone in Illinois. The hemp industry has the potential to be a significant economic driver in our state, but only if it’s given the chance to thrive under fair and reasonable regulations.
Hemp regulations are severely lacking, and it’s time to change that. Let’s work together to urge the General Assembly to contemplate regulations that will protect consumers, support businesses, and reinvest in our communities. With thoughtful, balanced policies, we can build a hemp industry that is safe, prosperous, and beneficial to all Illinoisans.
Muddy River News, Sept. 20, 2024
By Matt Anderson, owner of the Sunmed CBD store at 5313 Broadway in Quincy. He also is a U.S. Army veteran.
More and more people are discovering the wellness benefits of an often-misunderstood natural plant – hemp.
Though hemp comes from the same cannabis plant as marijuana, they are not the same product. Hemp is legal under federal law. This lawful, versatile plant can be found in many forms on our store shelves, from award-winning CBD relief creams to clinically proven sleep gummies and USDA-organic tinctures, each thoughtfully crafted with our customers’ safety and wellness as our top priority.
Sunmed started in 2022 as a small, CBD-focused company. It has since grown and evolved alongside science-based advancements that harness the unique benefits of various cannabinoids that are natural to the hemp plant. As part of a national franchise with more than 300 locations, including five in Illinois, I’m proud to own the Sunmed store in Quincy.
All Sunmed products are tested by a third-party lab for purity and quality. I understand the need for industrywide hemp regulations – which Illinois currently lacks – to make sure products are thoughtfully produced and safe for consumers. But let’s be clear: Regulating hemp doesn’t mean the same thing as banning it. We need smart rules, not the heavy-handed bans – which would do more harm than good – contemplated by our state lawmakers in House Bill 4293.
Hemp has its unique value, distinct from any of the pros and cons of marijuana. It plays a crucial role in our local economy. From supporting small businesses to providing consumers with natural alternatives for better sleep, relief, and daily well-being, hemp has become an integral part of our community. The hemp product bans in HB 4293 would pull the rug out from under an industry that has already proven its worth — punishing responsible businesses and consumers based on misplaced fears. What we need is a thoughtful approach that ensures safety and quality without stifling innovation or crushing businesses like mine.
As a business owner, I’ve long supported the push for regulations allowing responsible companies to thrive while shielding customers from those who cut corners and compromise safety. I join countless business owners, employees, and farmers in my industry in advocating for thorough testing on all products, stringent packaging and labeling requirements — as well as an age limit of 21 for adult-use products.
Many businesses like mine have already adopted some of these practices voluntarily because we care about the safety and trust of our customers. We’re also hoping for a tax on hemp products to funnel revenue back into our communities to help support our family, friends, and neighbors.
Without clear guardrails prioritizing consumer safety and supporting a viable, sustainable hemp industry, it will be difficult for hemp businesses to continue operating in our state – not to mention the farmers who have built their livelihoods around cultivating this lawful agricultural commodity. Because of the current regulatory uncertainty, several Illinois hemp businesses have relocated to other states, taking jobs and revenue. Let’s not risk eliminating any more lawful jobs. Illinois can’t afford it.
Hemp isn’t just another product on the shelf. It’s part of a broader movement toward sustainable agriculture and increased access to therapeutic products. I’m a military veteran, and the hemp industry has helped ease my transition from service – from products that address my lingering pains and discomforts to allowing me to serve and positively impact the lives of other veterans, their families, others in my community, and local residents.
A ban on hemp would hit communities hard, taking away opportunities for entrepreneurs and limiting choices for consumers who rely on hemp products to manage everyday health and wellness struggles. Instead of shutting down an entire industry, let’s work toward balanced regulations that protect consumers while allowing businesses to thrive.
I urge our state lawmakers to reject any broad-stroke bans and focus on crafting fair regulations that recognize the benefits of hemp while addressing quality control concerns. We must consider the livelihood of people who depend on this industry and the consumers who benefit from its products.
Let’s not derail an industry with so much potential. Instead, let’s guide it responsibly.
