On December 28, 2018, The Illinois Department of Agriculture published proposed rules for the state's Industrial Hemp Act, signed into law in August 2018. A 45-day public comment period is underway.

Per proposed rules, Illinois residents will not be able to purchase raw hemp for cooking, extracts, or other personal uses from Illinois farmers-- they will have to purchase hemp from outside the state. This limits the market for farmers to only those who possess a license and will have a negative impact on potential economic development. Furthermore, small businesses will not be able to sell products incorporating raw floral or leaf material.

Hemp must be tested to produce no more than .3% THC; it is therefore non-intoxicating. Hemp has no potential for abuse, nor is it classified as a controlled substance. There is no reason the public should not be allowed to possess, transport, and store hemp freely. Tell the state that hemp, testing below .3% THC, should be free to handle by anyone.

We will mail this petition to the Illinois Department of Agriculture before the end of the public comment period.

Written comments must be mailed to:
attn: Pamela Harmon
Illinois Department of Agriculture, State Fairgrounds,
P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, IL 62794