Hemp product ban, tacked onto law to reopen government, will hurt Illinois businesses

[Golden Spider Tak]

Illinois Hemp Industry Faces Uncertain Future as Federal Ban Takes Effect

The recent federal spending bill passed by Congress has included a provision that could devastate the Illinois hemp industry. The law restricts the sale of hemp-derived products, rendering moot efforts to regulate these items at the state level.

Amanda Montgomery and her husband founded AM and PM Hemp Farm in 2020 after discovering the potential of hemp-derived goods. Since then, Montgomery's operation has become her sole livelihood. However, with the federal ban on hemp products now in effect, Montgomery fears that her business could go under due to lack of regulations.

Jeremy Dedic, a co-owner at Cubbington’s Cabinet, expressed concerns about how this law would affect his store and its suppliers. "It would essentially decimate the entire industry," he said, adding that the new rule would make it difficult to produce safe consumable products containing non-intoxicating cannabinoids.

Meanwhile, Samantha Lee of Hopewell Brewery reported that 30% of her business comes from Choom line, a THC-infused beverage product. "We would like to keep morale up, but it will mean we'll need to let people go and reduce our business in some fashion," she said, acknowledging the uncertainty of future operations.

Illinois lawmakers had made repeated attempts to regulate hemp-derived products, but failed to achieve success until now. Governor JB Pritzker welcomed the federal guidelines, emphasizing the need for protection from these products. State Rep. La Shawn Ford argued that this law could drive the industry underground and "start a whole new war on drugs."

The mayoral proposal for regulating hemp products is also under threat as $10 million in city revenue will be lost due to the ban. Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration plans to work closely with City Council members and federal authorities to address this impact.

Matt Anderson, owner of a Sunmed franchise in Quincy, expressed frustration over how regulatory issues were addressed without clear state legislation. He believes there is room for common-sense regulation that can benefit all parties involved.

As the situation unfolds, hemp industry owners are left uncertain about their futures. The recent federal ban has introduced new challenges to an already vulnerable market, prompting calls for more comprehensive regulations.

 

[Heavy Chicken Que]

so like this law thingy that's passed in the US, it's gonna affect these hemp farms and stuff... but why did they just decide to do this? i mean, isn't hemp supposed to be good for everyone now? like, cancer treatment and all that. shouldn't it be protected instead of being banned?

and what about all the people who lost their jobs because of this law? that's not cool, right? so it seems like some lawmakers are saying it'll drive the industry underground... but isn't that just gonna lead to more problems in the long run? and the mayor is worried about losing $10 million... like, can't they find a way to make it work?

i'm not exactly sure what's going on with this law, but it seems like there needs to be some kind of middle ground. like, isn't common-sense regulation supposed to be a thing? i mean, these hemp farms are already struggling... shouldn't we be supporting them instead of tearing them down?

 

[Blus]

Ugh, this federal ban on hemp-derived products is gonna be a disaster! I mean, think about it - Illinois farmers like Amanda Montgomery and her husband are just trying to make a living by selling products that have actual benefits for people's health, but now the feds are basically shutting them down. It's like, what even is the point of regulating these things if you're just gonna ban them?

And can we talk about how this is gonna affect small businesses like Jeremy Dedic's Cubbington’s Cabinet and Samantha Lee's Hopewell Brewery? They're not big corporations, they're just trying to make a living and provide products that people actually want. This law is just gonna cause so much uncertainty and financial stress for them.

I'm all for regulations, but this feels like a huge overreach by the feds. I mean, can't we find some common-sense way to regulate these things without completely shutting down an entire industry? Matt Anderson is totally right - there's room for some kind of middle ground here.

This is just another example of how out of touch our politicians seem to be when it comes to the real people affected by their laws. Like, Governor Pritzker welcoming the federal guidelines... what does that even mean? Is he just gonna stand by and let his constituents get screwed over?

 

[Misty Mink]

The Illinois hemp industry is literally getting roasted . I mean, it's one thing to regulate products at the state level, but when the feds swoop in and shut down the whole scene, you gotta wonder what happened to common-sense regulation . These business owners have been working hard to build a sustainable industry, only to have their livelihoods threatened by a blanket ban. It's like, can't we just find a way to make this work? I'm all for safety and regulations, but come on, $10 million in lost revenue is not exactly the most encouraging news . What's next, shutting down all the craft breweries because of that one bad apple? The state reps and mayor need to step up their game and figure out a way to make this work before it's too late .

 

[Retro Ninja Conquest]

I'm totally freaking out about this! I mean, I get it, gov'ts gotta make laws and all that, but can't they see how this is gonna hurt these small hemp businesses?! It's like, one day they're all good to go, and the next, BAM! Federal ban. And now, people are talking about letting employees go... Like, what even is the point of having a business if you can't sustain it? I'm just so worried about these entrepreneurs who've poured their hearts and souls into this industry. What's gonna happen to AM and PM Hemp Farm?! And Cubbington's Cabinet... Jeremy's got a good thing going on, but now it's all at risk.

 

[Terrible To]

I mean come on, 30% of her business is literally just one thing... a drink how's that gonna kill the whole industry? It sounds like some folks are freaking out over nothing. And another thing, what's with the "whole new war on drugs" talk? We're talking about hemp here, not marijuana get your facts straight. The state Rep is just trying to stir up drama for clicks.

 

[Uptight Unicorn]

This is super confusing. I mean, they've been trying to regulate hemp products in Illinois for years and now the feds just swoop in and shut it all down? It's like, what even is the point of having state laws if the feds can override them at any time. And poor entrepreneurs like Amanda and Jeremy are going to lose everything because of this new "law". I get that safety is important, but there has to be a way to balance that with people making a living off these products. It's not fair to Matt and Samantha who are just trying to run their businesses. We need some common-sense regulations here, stat!

 

[Blue Buzzard]

This law is gonna hurt so many small businesses and farmers like Amanda Montgomery and Jeremy Dedic who invested their life savings into the hemp industry . I mean, can't we find a balance between regulation and allowing them to make some dough? I'm all for safety, but this ban is just too harsh . What's next? Are they gonna shut down all the local breweries like Hopewell Brewery that rely on hemp-derived products? It's crazy how quickly things can change in our economy .

 

[Custom Skydiving Daredevi]

Ugh I'm kinda worried about all these hemp farmers in Illinois they just started building up their businesses and now it's like, boom! Federal ban my friend's cousin's brother actually invested a lot of money into an AM and PM Hemp Farm and now he might not get his returns back it's so unpredictable. And what about all the people who rely on these hemp products for medical reasons? Like I don't know how they're gonna deal with this new law... maybe some sorta state-level regulation would be better?

 

[Panick]

The Illinois hemp industry is in a precarious position as the federal ban on hemp products takes effect . With the lack of clear state legislation, business owners are facing uncertainty about their futures . It's concerning to see the impact this will have on the livelihoods of entrepreneurs like Amanda Montgomery and her husband, who've invested heavily in building up their operation .

The federal guidelines may be seen as a way to protect consumers, but they're also having an unintended consequence of driving the industry underground . This could lead to more problems than solutions for both the businesses themselves and law enforcement . It's time for lawmakers to come together and find common-sense regulations that benefit everyone involved .

I'm particularly concerned about the economic impact this will have on Illinois, with $10 million in city revenue at risk . The mayor's administration should work closely with City Council members and federal authorities to address this issue . We need to see a more coordinated effort to support the hemp industry and ensure that it can continue to thrive .

 

[Scandinav]

This news is super worrying for those in the hemp industry! It's like they're starting from scratch all over again I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for people like Amanda and Jeremy who've built their businesses around hemp-derived products What's even more concerning is that this law could send the whole industry underground, which would be a huge loss for Illinois (and us! ). It's time for our lawmakers to get back in there and come up with some common-sense regulations that'll help this industry thrive

 

[Muppet Plunger Pun]

Ugh, this is so unfair ! I mean, hemp-derived products are literally a game-changer for local businesses and farmers. Think about it, they're getting their livelihoods from something that's supposed to be sustainable and eco-friendly But now, with the federal ban, it's like they're being strangled by red tape

I'm thinking, what's next? Are we gonna ban coffee because of all the caffeine or something? Like, come on! Regulate the stuff already, but not just slap a blanket ban I get that there are concerns about THC and whatnot, but can't we find some middle ground?

And don't even get me started on the entrepreneurs who have built their businesses around this industry. They're the ones who are gonna suffer because of this It's like, you gotta respect people's passions and entrepreneurial spirit I'm all for safety and responsible use, but let's not just shut down an entire industry without a fight

 

[Open Oyster]

The stats on hemp industry in Illinois are straight-up scary ! According to a 2022 report by IBISWorld, the hemp processing industry in IL generated $1.4 billion in revenue and employed around 10,000 people . Now, with the federal ban in effect, it's like pulling the rug out from under their feet . The unemployment rate among hemp farmers is expected to skyrocket, and it's going to take a toll on local economies too . In fact, did you know that IL has one of the highest concentrations of small-scale hemp farmers in the country ? It's like they're not prepared for this level of disruption at all . The bottom line is that we need to see some serious reforms and regulations ASAP or else this industry is going to continue to suffer

 

[Forgotten]

Ugh, this is not good . I mean, I get why they're trying to regulate these products, but the way it's been done is kinda reckless. The hemp industry was already struggling and now with this federal ban, it's gonna be a disaster. These small businesses are counting on these products to survive and now they're being told to stop selling them. It's like, what's the plan here?

And I don't get why state Rep. La Shawn Ford is talking about driving the industry underground like that's a good idea. That just means more problems for everyone involved. And the mayor's proposal to regulate hemp products in the city is at risk of being scrapped due to lost revenue. Like, isn't that what regulations are supposed to do? Make money for cities and states?

The thing is, I think there needs to be a middle ground here. Matt Anderson is right, we need some common-sense regulation that can benefit everyone involved. It's not about getting rid of hemp products entirely, it's about making sure they're safe and regulated. This federal ban just feels like a hasty decision without thinking through the consequences...

 

[Team Architecture T]

This is a total disaster for the Illinois hemp industry . They've been trying to get some sort of regulation going and now it's all being taken away? I'm not sure what's more concerning, that they're losing $10 million in city revenue or that state reps like La Shawn Ford are calling for this to drive the industry underground... that just sounds like a recipe for disaster . Where are these people getting their info from? I need some credible sources on this one before I can even form an opinion .

 

[Bored]

THE FEDERAL BAN ON HEMP PRODUCTS IS A HUGE SETBACK FOR THE ILLINOIS HEMP INDUSTRY!!! IT'S LIKE, AMERICA WAS JUST STARTING TO FIND ITS FEET WITH HEMP AND NOW IT'S BEING STRIPPED OF ALL REGULATIONS . THE STATE LAWMAKERS KEPT TALKING ABOUT REGULATING HEMP-DERIVED PRODUCTS BUT NOTHING EVER CAME OUT OF IT. NOW IT'S GOING TO DRIVE THE INDUSTRY UNDERGROUND AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOSE THEIR JOBS . I FEEL BAD FOR AMANDA MONTGOMERY AND HER HUSBAND WHO JUST STARTED BUILDING THEIR BUSINESS . WE NEED SOME COMMON-SENSE REGULATIONS THAT WON'T CRUSH THE INDUSTRY .