THC in Illinois

Hemp-derived THC products are technically legal under the Illinois Industrial Hemp Act (2018), which legalized hemp and its derivatives containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. However, the legal status is highly uncertain as of September 2025. Governor JB Pritzker has explicitly threatened to issue an executive order banning all hemp-derived THC products if the state legislature fails to pass regulatory legislation, similar to actions taken by California Governor Newsom. The Illinois legislature has been deadlocked for years on hemp regulation, with competing interests from the hemp industry, regulated cannabis industry, and public health advocates. House Speaker Chris Welch indicated in September 2025 that lawmakers are "close to coming to a consensus" on regulation, but no bill has been passed. Current sales occur without age restrictions, potency limits, or testing requirements, leading to concerns about youth access and product safety.