CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined legislators and community members at Sway Dispensary to celebrate the passage of SB 3222, landmark legislation that prohibits the sale of intoxicating hemp to minors and advances safety, equity, and oversight in the cannabis industry.
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Signed into law last month, SB 3222 provides commonsense regulations around intoxicating hemp products — including Delta-8, THC-P, and HHC — that had previously been sold outside Illinois' regulated adult-use cannabis market. Many of these products have been marketed in packaging that appeals to children or misleadingly labels their contents. The new law establishes stronger safeguards to keep these products out of the hands of minors.
“With the passage of this legislation, we are strengthening protections for our children, expanding access for patients, advancing social equity even further, and making our regulatory system operate more efficiently for everyone,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Parents shouldn't have to worry that a product containing intoxicating levels of THC is deceptively packaged as a bag of candy in a convenience store. Consumers shouldn't have to guess whether a product has been tested or accurately labeled. In Illinois, we are putting long overdue commonsense regulations in place.”
“Today's bill signing is another example of Illinois leading with both purpose and responsibility,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “SB 3222 strengthens consumer protections, expands access for patients, and reinforces our commitment to an equitable cannabis industry where public safety and opportunity go hand in hand. This law helps ensure our policies continue to reflect the needs of Illinois families and communities.”
Keeping Illinoisans Safe with New Regulations
Now in effect, the State of Illinois prohibits the sale of intoxicating hemp products to people under the age of 21. Beginning in November 2026, intoxicating hemp products will be subject to regulations set forth in the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), including:
- Requiring child-proof packaging;
- Banning misleading marketing and packaging that rips off consumer brands to appeal to children; and
- Ensuring the existing cannabis regulatory framework applies to intoxicating hemp products
“This bill accomplishes two important goals at once: it gets unregulated intoxicating hemp products off the streets and out of the hands of kids, and it also helps legitimate cannabis businesses compete,” said House Assistant Majority Leader Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago). “I’m proud of the collaboration that happened across chambers to help small, social equity cannabis entrepreneurs thrive in our state while keeping our products regulated and keeping Illinoisans safe.”
“These changes bring real structure to the hemp market, bring cannabis operations into the modern era, and make things easier for patients and small operators who have waited long enough,” said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood). “I'm grateful to our House partners for their hard work, and proud that Illinois is once again showing the country how to get this right.”
“Equity continues to be a guiding principle in Illinois’ approach to cannabis and hemp regulation," said State Rep. Lisa Davis (D-Chicago). "By promoting greater transparency and stronger industry standards, this law expands opportunities for entrepreneurs from historically underserved communities while helping ensure the growth of the market benefits a broader range of people.”
“No matter what you’ve heard, Illinois cannabis is not a cautionary tale — ours is an unfinished story,” said Edie Moore, co-founder of SWAY Dispensary. “The people who looked around a decade ago and saw no one like them are still the ones writing it.”
“As a pediatrician, I've seen how quickly substance use and accidental poisonings can become a medical emergency,” said Dr. Mark Butterly, Chief Medical Officer, Advocate Children’s Hospital. “Intoxicating hemp products can pose serious risks to children and teens, which is why these safeguards are so important. This legislation is a meaningful step toward keeping kids safe and giving parents greater peace of mind.”
Making the Cannabis Market More Accessible, Equitable, and Efficient
In addition to instituting new safety measures for intoxicating hemp, this legislation makes the existing market more accessible to medical cannabis patients; equitable across a growing, diverse industry; and efficient in regulatory and oversight processes.
Key provisions include:
- Eliminating barriers for medical cannabis patients – including allowing all Illinois dispensaries to register as medical cannabis dispensaries; implementing curbside and drive-thru pick up methods; and expanding qualifying conditions, which can now be certified over telehealth
- Advancing social equity by introducing income-based hardship waivers, allowing more time to reach operational status, and reducing costs for businesses
- Improves efficiency in regulatory and oversight by optimizing how state agencies can share information, unify badging systems, administer financial assistance programs, and synchronize taxes across the industry
“This measure delivers long-overdue protections for medical cannabis patients, small businesses and social equity licensees from risks posed by unregulated hemp products,” said State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield). “Ensuring that Illinois' medical cannabis industry continues to be safe and accessible helps protect a decade-old program while uplifting our nascent social equity businesses.”
“Senate Bill 3222 provides the clarity needed to make the Illinois cannabis market more equitable and provide transparency in the industry’s operations,” said State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin). “Providing clarity on what is legal to distribute and the licensure process is an important step in making sure the market is fair. I am proud to have fought for expanded protections for consumers.”
“We look forward to all Illinois medical cannabis patients having full access to every dispensary while receiving the medical tax rate they deserve,” said patient advocates Jim and Sandy Champion. “It’s been a long time coming, and we’re grateful that this day has finally arrived. This is an important step toward improving access, honoring the patients who built this program, and ensuring they receive the care and respect they’ve earned.”
