Illinois legalizes the cultivation of industrial hemp

The Governor of Illinois has just signed a bill to legalize the cultivation of hemp in his state, giving it de facto and immediate status as law. Henceforth, the cultivation and manufacture of hemp and its products are legal in the state's jurisdiction. Those wishing to grow industrial hemp will still need to obtain a license from the Department of Agriculture.

Better late than never

Law 2298, introduced in January by Senator Toi Hutchinson, was unanimously approved by the Senate in April, then by the House of Representatives in May, by a vote of 106 to 3. It has therefore been on the Governor's desk for some time, exactly since June 28. The latter signed it on the morning of August 25 and his Twitter page reads Hemp is one of the most useful plants on earth, used in 25,000 products from food to fuel, and in textiles from paper to fabric. Now, Illinois farmers can indulge in this kind of industrial cultivation and reap the rewards of the new business that accompanies it.

The Industrial Hemp Act changes the legal definition of cannabis in state legislation to allow its industrial use. The text defines industrial hemp as the cannabis plant and all its parts, regardless of whether its THC concentration is below or above 0.3 %, as long as it is grown legally, i.e. with a license from the Ministry. The 0.3 % limit refers to the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2009 which amended the Controlled Substances Act to distinguish industrial hemp from cannabis through a THC concentration limit in dried flowers. The text also leaves the definition of hemp to the discretion of the states, so there is no conflict with federal law. Already 38 states have legalized hemp and initiatives have been taken to legalize its cultivation at federal level.