Hemp law takes effect for some; others fight rules driving business closures
(The Center Square) – A ban on the sale of intoxicating hemp products by some retailers in Illinois took effect Thursday, forcing some across the state to shut down. The law also pushes products toward more regulation and heavier taxation as hundreds of businesses challenge the ban’s legality. Hundreds of businesses won the temporary ability to continue selling the banned products in a court decision days before the law took effect. Craig Katz, president of the Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association, said the ban won’t impact the roughly 300 businesses represented in the lawsuit until at least Nov. 19 – the day the case will come before a federal judge. “We have our hearing set in federal court and the temporary restraining order on the 19th, so that's why that date was chosen,” Katz said. “If she were to take it under advisement and not rule at that time, we would certainly ask that the agreement continue until she does rule.” If the businesses lose or the temporary block isn't renewed, the products could only be sold by licensed dispensaries in the state which are more heavily taxed, making products more expensive and harder to obtain. Before the law took effect,
