A bill to reopen the federal government contained a provision that brings sweeping changes to the legal definition of hemp, which could devastate some Illinois businesses.
According to CNBC, the bill closed a loophole in a 2018 piece of legislation that legalized hemp for industrial uses like rope, textiles and other products. A loophole allowed companies to extract THC from the legalized hemp, which was then put into gummies, drinks and vapes, among other products.
Now, that loophole is being closed, and the resulting legislation could result in the loss of thousands of jobs and could wipe out up to 95% of the hemp market, according to CNBC reporting.
The new ban would outlaw products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, and would go into effect next year.
Jeremy Debic, a business owner who helped co-found Cubbington’s Cabinet on Chicago’s North Side, says that the bill could ban products that help customers suffering from sleep issues, stress management concerns, and many other syndromes.
He says his company educates the public about hemp-derived products, and offers numerous options to consumers.
“Our whole mission is to work with the customer, ask questions, have conversations,” he said.
Debic says the bill that ended the government shutdown contains language that seeks to ban so-called “intoxicating” hemp products.
“When you read it, it basically says CBD, and these hemp-consumable products are legal, but you have to follow these specific production methods, which are scientifically impossible,” he said.
State Rep. LaShawn Ford, who is also running for Congress, echoed concerns that the legislation could have devastating impacts for Illinois businesses.
“People have been growing businesses all across Illinois and Chicago selling these products in stores, and now all those businesses that were selling them, they’re going to have to shut their doors,” he said.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker was asked about the ban, and said that his administration is evaluating its impacts.
“We’re going to have to look at how we might regulate it now that the federal government is limiting it,” he said.
Debic said his company will fight in order to stay in business.
“We’re fighting to get subject matter experts and people at the table to help inform this legislation before it’s enacted or adopted,” he said.
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