Hemp Lobby Day scheduled for Jan. 4
The Illinois Hemp Growers Association (IHGA)—along with hemp processors, retailers, consumers, business owners, and other advocates—is set to host Hemp Lobby Day Jan. 4 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Illinois State Capitol Building rotunda.
The Hemp Lobby Day rally is an oppositional response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s renewed push for House Bill 4293 and instead IHGA will be advocating for House Bill 5903. Both bills contain hemp reform but differ on how to do it. The Illinois State Capitol Building is located at 401 South 2nd St. in Springfield. To register for Hemp Lobby Day, visit here.
“This effort builds on a strong track record of boots on the ground advocacy,” IHGA said in a press release, “including a spring 2024 campaign where more than 50 stakeholders marched up the steps of the Illinois State Capitol and nearly 800 witness slips were signed opposing anti-competitive marijuana industry backed legislation (HB4293) that will devastate Illinois hemp businesses —a testament to the strength of this growing and mighty movement.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker hosted a press conference a couple weeks ago and voiced his support for HB4293 and regulating “intoxicating hemp” products sold outside of a licensed cannabis dispensary.
“This regulatory gray area has created a loophole that put Illinois consumers of all ages, but particularly children, in danger while an underground market flourished—the exact opposite of what Illinois has done by regulating our cannabis industry,” said Pritzker. “We’re closing that loophole and protecting Illinoisans of all ages by incorporating these products into the regulated and equitable system of dispensaries already in place in the state.”
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