Illinois Hemp Businesses Sue to Block Law

An Illinois hemp trade group and five businesses have sued to block parts of the Illinois Hemp Act, which is scheduled to take effect Nov. 12. They argue the restrictions—including limits on out-of-state hemp products and licensing requirements—unconstitutionally interfere with interstate commerce and threaten businesses across the state’s hemp industry. State enforcement is paused until a federal court hearing scheduled for Nov. 19. State leaders say the ban is needed to protect consumers, especially children, from unregulated products with misleading labels and packaging.