<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3mzjQm_1GxOd7Ya00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3mzjQm_1GxOd7Ya00" width="1200" height="600" >EAST MOLINE, Ill. (KWQC) - Popular THC drinks and over-the-counter gummies could soon disappear from grocery stores, gas stations and bars as new federal and Illinois restrictions take effect.The federal restrictions, set to take effect Dec. 11, will effectively ban the sale of most hemp-derived THC beverages nationwide. Illinois restrictions take effect earlier, on Nov. 19.The changes come amid lawmakers’ concerns about product safety and marketing to children. Some Quad Cities business owners are also worried about the future.Heather Dabbas owns an East Moline drink stand that specializes in THC beverages. She said the restrictions will affect not only her business, but also the people who supply it.“All of those people in the state of Illinois, where everything comes from now, they’ve all lost their jobs,” Dabbas said. “So, there is going to be a lot of businesses that are not going to make it.”A typical THC drink in Illinois contains 10 milligrams. The new threshold is 0.4 milligrams — a level so low that the drinks will no longer be intoxicating or worth making.The restrictions also apply to hemp gummies and other consumable products. In Illinois, those products will be available only through a dispensary after the restrictions take effect. In Iowa and most other states, they will be illegal starting Dec. 11.The Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association and several businesses filed a federal lawsuit last week, asking a judge for an emergency order to block enforcement of Illinois’ law.Association President Craig Katz said the industry hopes to buy time for Congress to act.“[The] Best case scenario is the Attorney General agrees to respect the Dec. 11 date and says ‘We won’t enforce until Dec. 11,’ and see if Congress does something or acts before that date,” Katz said.Back in East Moline, Dabbas said she is stepping away from the business.“I’m out,” she said. “If I can’t sell weed, I don’t want to do it.”An employee, Amanda Pacheco, plans to take over the stand with a new focus.“I’ll be stepping in and offering some more healthy options for the community, starting with cold-pressed juice, which is my real passion,” Pacheco said. “Along with that, I’ll be offering some wellness shots, smoothies, smoothie bowls, and really just trying to make it more convenient for people to be healthier.”In the meantime, some THC beverage retailers are telling customers to stock up before the restrictions take effect.</div></body>

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EAST MOLINE, Ill. (KWQC) - Popular THC drinks and over-the-counter gummies could soon disappear from grocery stores, gas stations and bars as new federal and Illinois restrictions take effect. The federal restrictions, set to take effect Dec. 11, will effectively ban the sale of most hemp-derived THC beverages nationwide. Illinois...

THC crackdown leaves Quad Cities retailers facing uncertain future

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EAST MOLINE, Ill. (KWQC) - Popular THC drinks and over-the-counter gummies could soon disappear from grocery stores, gas stations and bars as new federal a

THC crackdown leaves Quad Cities retailers facing uncertain future

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