Hemp Legalization Bill Passed by Illinois Legislature, Sent to Governor
Illinois’ full legislature has passed a bill to allow for the legal cultivation of industrial hemp, sending it to Governor Bruce Rauner for consideration.
Senate Bill 2298, filed by Senator Toi Hutchinson, passed the Senate last month in a unanimous 50 to 0 vote. Yesterday it was passed by the House of Representatives 106 to 3. The Senate quickly concurred with a pair of House amendments, sending it to the desk of Governor Rauner.
Titled the Industrial Hemp Act, the legislation would amend state law so that the legal definition of cannabis doesn’t include industrial hemp. It “Provides that a person desiring to grow, cultivate, or process industrial hemp or industrial hemp products must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture.”
Governor Rauner can now sign it into law, allow it to become law without a signature, or veto it. However, if he vetoes it the legislature can override it with a 2/3rds majority vote.
The full text of Senate Bill 2298 can be found by clicking here.
