Illinois Hemp Law

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1/4 acre of hemp was grown in Illinois last year

On this page you will find Illinois hemp law along with a history of how Illinois hemp bills have progressed through the State capitol over the years. We also provide links to important information concerning Illinois hemp programs and state agency advisories or opinion letters. Our goal is to keep the public, media and policy makers informed on each states status concerning hemp law and policy.

Illinois Hemp Resources

Illinois Department of Agriculture hemp page

Recent News

SIU rolling out new cannabis research initiative to support evolving markets

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Industrial hemp and medical marijuana are on the rise. The industries need more trained cultivators and...

A growing business: Hemp legalization a boon to Riverbend farmers, shops

EDWARDSVILLE — Gary Knecht of rural Edwardsville is anxious to start doing something that until this summer was illegal...

IL farmer says Industrial Hemp Bill could boost economy

ILLINOIS (KFVS) - Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed a bill on Saturday legalizing the growth of industrial hemp by...

Illinois Hemp Law & Legislation

2018
SB 2298

Creates the Industrial Hemp Act. Provides that a person desiring to grow, cultivate, or process industrial hemp or industrial hemp products must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture.

Position: Support
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Rauner on August 26th

SB 2772

Creates the Commercial Low THC Hemp Extract Act. Provides that a person or commercial enterprise may distribute or sell low THC hemp extract if the person or commercial enterprise can produce a certificate of analysis for the product that shows that it contains no more than 0.3% total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by weight. Prohibits a person or commercial enterprise from distributing low THC hemp extract without having obtained the certificate. Provides that low THC hemp extract must be clearly labeled. Contains various label and labeling requirements. Contains provisions concerning the misbranding of low THC hemp extract. Provides that nothing in the Act prevents a person who knowingly distributes, sells, or uses a hemp extract that contains more than 0.3% THC or who knowingly sells, distributes, or uses a misbranded low THC hemp extract product from being prosecuted under specified Acts. Defines terms. Amends the Cannabis Control Act to exclude low THC hemp extract from the definition of “cannabis”.

2017
SB 1294

Creates the Industrial Hemp Act. Provides that any person desiring to grow, process, cultivate, harvest, process, possess, sell, or purchase industrial hemp or industrial hemp related products must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture. Provides that the application for a license shall include the name and address of the applicant and the legal description of the land area to be used to grow or process industrial hemp and that the license shall be valid for a period of 5 years. Preempts home rule powers. Amends the Illinois Noxious Weed Law. Provides that “noxious weed” does not include industrial hemp. Amends the Cannabis Control Act. Provides that “cannabis” does not include industrial hemp.

Position: Support

2014
HB 5085

Amends the Agricultural Areas Conservation and Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Status: Signed by Governor on 8/26/2014.

2014
HB 2668

Creates the Industrial Hemp Act. Provides that any person desiring to grow, process, cultivate, harvest, process, possess, sell, or purchase industrial hemp or industrial hemp related products must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture. Provides that the application for a license shall include the name and address of the applicant and the legal description of the land area to be used to grow or process industrial hemp and that the license shall be valid for a period of one year. Requires an applicant to complete a statewide and nationwide criminal background check. Provides that no person with a prior felony conviction within 10 years of applying for a license shall be eligible for licensure. Preempts home rule.

2013
HB 2668
Creates the Industrial Hemp Act. Provides that any person desiring to grow, process, cultivate, harvest, process, possess, sell, or purchase industrial hemp or industrial hemp related products must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture. Provides that the application for a license shall include the name and address of the applicant and the legal description of the land area to be used to grow or process industrial hemp and that the license shall be valid for a period of one year. Requires an applicant to complete a statewide and nationwide criminal background check. Provides that no person with a prior felony conviction within 10 years of applying for a license shall be eligible for licensure. Preempts home rule.

2012
HB 5757
Creates the Industrial Hemp Act of 2012. Contains only a short title provision.

2011
HB 1383
Creates the Industrial Hemp Act. Provides that any person desiring to grow, process, cultivate, harvest, process, possess, sell, or purchase industrial hemp or industrial hemp related products must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture. Provides that the application for a license shall include the name and address of the applicant and the legal description of the land area to be used to grow or process industrial hemp and that the license shall be valid for a period of one year. Requires an applicant to complete a statewide and nationwide criminal background check. Provides that no person with a prior felony conviction within 10 years of applying for a license shall be eligible for licensure. Preempts home rule.
Introduced on 2/9/2011. Referred to the House Rules Committee on 2/14/2011. Assigned to the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee 2/15/11. Do Pass / Short Debate by a vote of 11-2 on 3/1/2011. Third Reading – Short Debate – Lost by a vote of 028-083-000 on 3/31/2011.
Download the text of HB 1383 as Introduced here (PDF file 48k).

HR 271
Urges the President, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, the United States Food and Drug Administration, the United States Attorney General, and all other relevant agencies of the executive branch of the United States government to take immediate steps to remove barriers that prevent Illinois and other American farmers from growing industrial hemp.

2001
HB 3377 & SB 1397
Passed into law, but vetoed by Gov. Ryan twice despite
changes to meet his objections.
Download the text of HB 3377 Enrolled here (PDF file 21k).
Download the text of HB 3377 Governor’s Message here (PDF file 10k).
Download the roll call vote on the companion bill SB 1397 including State Senator Obama’s vote (PDF file 8k).

2000
HR 553

Urges the United States Congress to acknowledge the difference between marijuana and industrial hemp and to clearly authorize the commercial production of industrial hemp.
Passed into law.
Download the text of HR 553 here (PDF file 5k).

1999
SR 49

Creates the Industrial Hemp Investigative and Advisory Task Force. Directs the Task Force to investigate and report to the General Assembly on the advisability of encouraging industrial hemp production.
Passed into law.
Download the text of SR 49 here (PDF file 5k).
Download the text of SR 49 Senate Amendment 1 here (PDF file 5k).

HR 168
Creates the Industrial Hemp Investigative and Advisory Task Force. Directs the Task Force to investigate and report to the General Assembly on the advisability of encouraging industrial hemp production.
Passed into law.
Download the text of HR 168 here (PDF file 5k).