Cannabis law advances, craft breweries warn of harm to small businesses

(The Center Square) – House Bill 4293, which originally included penalties for sex offenders in the massage industry, has been defeated and replaced with a bill regulating hemp-derived cannabinoids.

State Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Westchester, told a Senate Executive Committee hearing that hemp producers are crossing the line by synthesizing hemp to make Delta 8 and Delta 9. Advocates say consumers are being deceived about THC levels in synthetic hemp products . Lightford said hemp producers are unlicensed and engaged in illegal activities.

“They have no permission whatsoever to participate in the cannabis bill. It amazes me that we’re even talking about their illegal activities,” Lightford said. “This is what many black and brown people have been imprisoned for generations for. This is why the Cannabis Act has made expungement so stringent. Now we allow people to rent storefronts and grow cannabis and that’s fine, I use balm, but when they alter and chemically modify the cannabis to produce products that are stronger than traditional cannabis products.”

The Department of Agriculture supported the bill and said it wants to ensure the cannabis industry is fair, well-regulated and safe.

Opponents say the bill would devastate Illinois hemp farmers and Black and brown communities. Opponents argued that the bill would completely ban the cannabis industry. Opponents agree that cannabis should be regulated where children cannot access the products. Glenn McElfresh of Perfectly Dosed said he fears for his company, employees and community.

“Dozens of local breweries closed (in the state) until they started producing cannabis beverages. This simple act allowed them to pay their employees fair wages. Such a de facto ban was implemented in a hurry and will have a disastrous impact on our state. Such a ban does not make communities safer; it creates an illicit market and encourages bad actors,” McElfresh said.

He called on lawmakers Thursday to take time this summer to involve stakeholders in regulating hemp products.

The committee chair, state Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin, said she did not call Illinois Craft Brewers Guild opponent Brent Schwoerer, who came to the Senate executive committee hearing to express his concerns about HB 4293.

Opponents say the bill aims to ban hemp drinks and regulate hemp products. Schwoerer unwittingly opposed the bill at the wrong time, and Castro said, “I need you back.” Schwoerer complied, but when she finally called him out, he said the brewing industry had not recovered from the pandemic and that cannabis beverages were helping diversify and, in some cases, the beverages were a lifesaver.

“Over the last 24 months, more than 40 Illinois breweries have closed their doors. The last one to close was Lagunitas Brewing in Chicago,” Schwoerer said. “The work will be with them. I call on you to slow down and start a discussion on this topic (regulations). Why are we rushing to introduce regulations that only benefit a few? “Believe it or not, the Associated Illinois Beer Distributors and Brewers stand united against this amendment, and that’s saying something.”

Schwoerer said banning breweries from producing cannabis beverages would kill small businesses and only benefit a few large out-of-state corporations.

Castro set out to improve the Springfield ingredient. Castro explained that Heineken had bought out Lagunitas.

“Lagunitas was bought out by Heineken, so technically it was no longer a craft brewery, but a big beer company,” Castro said. – So you lost me there.

The day before the session deadline, Lightford amended a bill that initially focused on penalties for sex offenders and passed it in the House, saying craft breweries had signed up at the last minute.

“Last minute to submit your request. We’ve been having these conversations for several years,” Lightford said.

Castro asked Lightford if the brewers were selling an illegal product, and Lightford replied, “It’s safe to say that.”

“You (Schwoerer) can’t come in at the last minute, it looks like the leader (Lightford) is willing to talk in the future, but what this bill does… addresses a very serious situation that is happening right now,” he said Castro.

“I know that we absolutely, without a doubt, cannot get into the retail space because it becomes too dynamic to manage,” Lightford said.

In April, Lighford introduced the Cannabis Consumer Products Act through Senate Bill 3926; this solution remains in committee.

Similarly, House Bill 4193 is another version of the Cannabis Consumer Products Act, which Schwoerer has stated he supports.

SB4293 moves out of committee and goes to the House for approval.