What is HB4293?

Illinois House Bill 4293 was introduced in January 2024 as the “Massage Licensing Act” by Illinois House Representatives Bob Morgan and Tom Weber.

On May 22, 2024, less than one week before the end of the legislative session, IL State Senator Lightford “gut and replaced” the Massage Licensing Act with the Hemp Consumer Products Act.

What is now in HB4293?

• criminalization of hemp-derived products that makes felons out of hemp producers and retailers

• doubles fines and the minimum term of imprisonment for producing, transporting, or selling hemp products

• changes the definition of hemp which conflicts with the federal definition

• overly-strict rules for the cultivation, processing, transportation, and sale of all federally-legal hemp products

• a 2mg cap on the entire package of all hemp-derived THC products

• a requirement for an additional 50mg of CBD in any microdose hemp-derived THC product

• a ban on full spectrum products

• $5,000 yearly licensing fee

• $10,000 fines per occurrence of non-compliance

• Up to $200,000 fine and felony charges for transporting 5 kg/liters of hemp

• Allows the sale of hemp-derived products only at dispensaries which charge consumers 20% additional tax

KNOW THE FACTS:

• ALL derivatives of hemp containing less than 0.3% delta 9 THC are legal under the 2018 farm bill regardless of how they are derived.

• ALL hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% delta 9 THC are legal under the 2018 farm bill and Illinois Industrial Hemp Act.

• Illinois hemp growers, processors, retailers, and consumers represent a substantial net positive on the state’s economic well-being and balanced budget.

• Responsible hemp producers and retailers do not deserve to have the rug pulled out from under them.

What’s the status of HB4293?

On May 28, 2024 the Illinois legislative session adjourned without bringing HB4293 to a vote, but it was on the calendar. Should the bill receive enough support, the vote will likely to occur in October or November 2024 when the house reconvenes.

What can you do?

There are 117 house representatives. To pass the bill would need at least 60 votes.

To let a representative know how this bill would impact you, you can:

1. Leave a message via phone or email.

   visit: https://www.ilga.gov/house/ to find the full list of house reps.
   
   or use this search tool: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/maps/illinois-house/

You could say something like:

“Please oppose HB4293, the Hemp Products Ban. This bill threatens to destroy the Illinois hemp market which I depend on.”

Don’t hesitate to tell your personal story and why this issue matters to you.

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