(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Concern is brewing in Illinois’ beer community over new legislation involving the production and sale of beverages that contain hemp-derived THC.
“The people who are already making these beverages and have already stepped into this space are completely shell shocked,” said Ray Stout, executive director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild.
Stout was talking to WBBM about Senate Bill 3926 and 0776 Senate Amendment 1. The two measures were proposed earlier this year and are part of an ongoing effort in Springfield to give the state more oversight over the creation of products that use THC derived from hemp. The proposals would, in part, make it illegal to make or sell THC-infused beverages without proper licenses.
Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) sponsored both measures, and in a recent release from her office said the measures would allow only Social Equity Dispensaries to sell products with hemp-derived THC until July 1, 2026.
“Which, in essence, ban the ability for the entire hemp industry to create beverages,” said Stout.
Lightford's measures would see hemp-derived THC products regulated in a way that’s similar to how the state already regulates cannabis. Leaving the current market unregulated, she added, would undermine “social equity license holders who have long worked to establish a legal, well-regulated business.”
The measure would impact any business that has started to sell non-alcoholic beverages containing hemp-derived THC — products that Stout said have exploded in popularity in recent months.
“This is a vital revenue stream to many of these breweries that are already making these beverages,” he said. “If you look at consumer habits and data, you’ll see a decrease in beer consumption, so this is a very smart way for these breweries to pivot to create a product that is pretty high in demand, and one that the federal government says is A-OK to produce.”
The guild and others say state lawmakers must slow down before rushing into passing legislation that could hurt Illinois brewers in a significant way.
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