Forget “The Prairie State;” as of 2020, Illinois should be called “The Pot State!” To be fair, Michigan was the first Midwestern state to approve recreational marijuana. However, the Land of Lincoln wasn’t too far behind the Wolverine State. Today, adults in Illinois have the right to purchase and use recreational cannabis just as they would a bottle of liquor. But does this mean Illinois also approves of hemp products like delta 8 THC?
Luckily for hemp fans, Illinois has a relaxed policy towards cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, and delta 8. As long as your hemp products have ≤ 0.3 percent delta 9 THC, you don’t have to worry about legal issues or purchasing limits. Just make sure you buy from a nationally trusted hemp vendor like IHF.
Although Illinois tried to legalize medical marijuana back in the 1970s, it wasn’t until 2013 that Springfield lawmakers passed the state’s official MMJ program. Starting in 2014, Illinois doctors could prescribe cannabis products to patients with various debilitating conditions. After residents receive their official MMJ card, they could visit a state-approved dispensary and buy 2.5 oz of cannabis flower biweekly.
Two years after implementing its MMJ Registry, Illinois introduced softer penalties for small amounts of marijuana possession. As of 2016, any adult with less than 10 grams of pot would only face a fine of between $100 to $200.
These decriminalization policies paved the way for the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, which was signed into law in 2019. Starting in 2020, adults in Illinois could legally buy, sell, and use cannabis recreationally. While this law didn’t specify policies for delta 8 THC, there’s no reason to believe Illinois has a special ban on this substance. Indeed, now that delta 9 THC strains are legal, it should be easier for residents to get their hands on delta 8 products.
It’s also important to note that Illinois created new hemp policies shortly before the 2018 US Farm Bill passed. Officially called SB 2298, this new law allowed Illinois farmers to cultivate hemp for research and commercial purposes.
As the bill states, “If federal law requires a research purpose for the cultivation of industrial hemp, a description of one or more research purposes planned for the cultivation of industrial hemp which may include the study of the growth, cultivation, or marketing of industrial hemp; however, the research purpose requirement shall not be construed to limit the commercial sale of industrial hemp.”
SB 2298 also clearly defined “industrial hemp” as “The plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis that has been cultivated under a license issued under this Act or is otherwise lawfully present in this State, and includes any intermediate or finished product made or derived from industrial hemp.”
As the law stands, Illinois doesn’t have a problem with delta 8 products that contain ≤ 0.3 percent delta 9 THC. If you order from a trusted farm like IHF, there’s no need to fear using hemp products in this Midwestern state.
While you can’t whip out your weed grinder in Wrigley Field, Chicago has fully embraced all of the changes to Illinois’ cannabis policies. In fact, since Chicago is such a populous city, it has been a boomtown for businesses specializing in the sale of cannabis, CBD, and delta 8 THC.
Customers who want to shop for hemp products could find stores in Chicago’s touristy districts like Dearborn Park, Grant Park, and New East Side. As you travel north, you could also find many vape shops in Lincoln Park, Bucktown, Southport, and even near Montrose Beach. If you don’t mind traveling outside of Chicago, you could find plenty of CBD shops in surrounding towns, especially in nearby Aurora.
Most people who visit Springfield are most interested in seeing world-class attractions like Lincoln’s Former Home and the Lincoln Presidential Library. However, this historic capital isn’t stuck in the past when it comes to cannabis. Indeed, it was in Springfield that lawmakers decided to legalize recreational cannabis in 2019.
In keeping with the state’s current hemp policies, Springfield is home to many hemp-friendly vendors who offer CBD and delta 8 products. Locals should start their quest for delta 8 products in major shopping centers like the White Oaks Mall. Other districts that now boast a few hemp shops include West Grand Place, Grand Central, and Enos Park.
Located near the border with Wisconsin, Rockford is a relatively large city best known for its huge “Tyrannosaurus Jane” skeleton. But you don’t have to be into paleontology to have a fun time in Rockford. Indeed, since Rockford is so close to weed-restrictive Wisconsin, it has become a popular destination with “pot tourists.”
Whether you want CBD or delta 8 hemp, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a shop in this northern city. Most of Rockford’s top hemp shops and vape stores are conveniently located along E State Street. Just keep in mind that the majority of Rockford’s hemp shops are east of the city’s center.
Hemp is technically legal to use throughout Illinois, but you should refrain from smoking IHF’s flowers in public places. Even though these buds contain ≤ 0.3 percent THC, police can’t tell the difference between hemp and marijuana. You will face harsh penalties if police catch you smoking cannabis outdoors, on federal territory, or in a vehicle.
At this time, it’s best to reserve your delta 8 e-juices, tinctures, and flowers for at-home use. Illinois residents are only allowed to use cannabis products in a private residence.
While you could run across hemp stores throughout Illinois, your best bet for finding high-quality delta 8 products is in the Chicago metro area. As one of the largest cities in the USA, Chicago will always have the highest concentration of hemp stores in Illinois.
However, that doesn’t mean you need to travel into Chicago every time you want a hot delta 8 strain. Please remember it’s legal for Illinois residents to buy hemp products from online sites like IHF. For years, IHF has sent our lab-tested hemp goods to retailers and customers throughout the USA. Whether you want CBD, delta 8, or another alt cannabinoid, chances are we have the hemp product of your dreams.
Want more information on IHF’s hemp offerings? If so, please be sure to browse through our online shop.
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