Illinois

Illinois’ comprehensive intoxicating hemp framework was years in the making. Multiple proposals cycled through the General Assembly starting with SB 3926 in the 103rd General Assembly (2023-2024), which would have created a Hemp Consumer Products Act with its own retailer/processor licensing. Political disagreement between Governor Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and House Democrats stalled reforms in early 2025. Late in the 2026 session, SB 3222 emerged as the compromise vehicle — regulating intoxicating hemp under the existing Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act rather than creating a parallel hemp retail licensing regime. Pritzker signed the bill in June 2026 and celebrated the signing at SWAY Cannabis Dispensary in Chicago on July 2. Key provisions: intoxicating hemp products (delta-8, hemp-derived delta-9 beverages, etc.) are regulated as cannabis products effective at signing; immediate 21+ age enforcement; child-proof packaging and prohibitions on kid-appealing designs required; general-retail lane for non-intoxicating CBD (<0.4mg total THC) begins November 12, 2026, aligning with federal Section 781. To accommodate new market entrants, 45 previously-unused infuser licenses will be issued January 2027 with social equity priority, and 100 additional licenses will be added in 2028. Chicago City Council separately voted 32-16 to ban most intoxicating hemp products within city limits, adding a municipal layer on top of the state regime.