Retailers across Illinois, including convenience stores, smoke shops and other businesses throughout Southern Illinois, are facing new restrictions on the sale of hemp-derived products beginning Thursday, November 12th.
According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, consumable and topical hemp products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will be classified as cannabis under the new regulations.
Those products will only be permitted for sale at licensed cannabis dispensaries and must meet the state’s cannabis regulatory requirements.
The new limit applies to the total amount of THC in an entire package or container, rather than the amount contained in an individual serving.
That distinction could affect a variety of products currently sold at businesses without cannabis licenses, including hemp-derived beverages, gummies and other consumable products.
Hemp products that meet the state’s new requirements may continue to be sold outside licensed dispensaries. However, those products must also comply with restrictions involving ingredients, laboratory testing, labeling and packaging.
State officials are encouraging retailers to review their existing inventory before the November 12th deadline and make arrangements to remove products that can no longer legally be sold.
Businesses that continue selling products classified as cannabis without the appropriate license could face civil or criminal violations, product seizures and financial penalties.
The Illinois Department of Revenue says the state intends to begin enforcing the new restrictions November 12th, despite a federal delay in related regulations until December 11th.
The changes will affect retailers throughout the state, including businesses in Wayne, Edwards, White, Hamilton, Clay and surrounding counties.
Consumers may still purchase products exceeding the new THC threshold through licensed cannabis dispensaries, provided those products meet Illinois cannabis regulations.