Illinois Delays Hemp THC Ban For 250 Businesses That Sued Over It

CHICAGO — Illinois officials have agreed to temporarily hold off on enforcing the state’s sweeping new restrictions on hemp-derived THC products against roughly 250 businesses involved in a lawsuit challenging the law.  The agreement gives businesses more time as they fight the Illinois Hemp Act, which was scheduled to take effect Thursday and would effectively ban most hemp-derived THC products currently sold in retail stores rather than licensed cannabis dispensaries. The state agreed to delay enforcing the law against those businesses through Nov. 19, according to a joint filing from the plaintiffs and state officials in federal court. Six plaintiffs in the lawsuit, including the Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association and its members, are covered in the agreement. The association represents around 250 companies in Illinois’ hemp industry. The association and five hemp businesses sued the state Nov. 5, arguing the new restrictions are unconstitutional and would effecti