Illinois

While the Industrial Hemp Act was already enacted before the 2018 Farm Bill, the Illinois Department of Agriculture implemented a set of interim regulations under the Industrial Hemp Act in early 2019.
While the 2018 Farm Bill and Industrial Hemp Act legalize hemp-derived CBD production and sale, in order to legally cultivate hemp, applicants must submit an application for each noncontiguous land area and each indoor cultivation operation area to the Illinois Department of Agriculture .
The adopted regulations also go into detail about the legality of hemp-derived CBD products, including CBD oil. The sale and transfer of all hemp and hemp-derived items that are in compliance with the state and federal definitions are legal under the interim rules, both within and outside of Illinois.

Table of contents

1. Brief Info

  •  Is CBD Legal in Illinois?
The products that contain less than 0.3% THC are federally legal in Illinois.
  • Who Can Buy CBD in Illinois?
People over 21 years old.
  • Who Can grow CBD products in Illinois?
People that have a license issued by the Department of Agriculture.
  • Who is protected from criminal offenses regarding CBD use?
The ones who didn’t break the law. 
  • More in-depth information about the state regulations and laws

2. Illinois CBD laws

While the Industrial Hemp Act was already enacted before the 2018 Farm Bill, the Illinois Department of Agriculture implemented a set of interim regulations under the Industrial Hemp Act in early 2019. Under these regulations, the state's definition of industrial hemp remained identical to the federal government's restriction on the THC content of 0.3 percent by weight. The adopted regulations also go into detail about the legality of hemp-derived CBD products, including CBD oil. The sale and transfer of all hemp and hemp-derived items that are in compliance with the state and federal definitions are legal under the interim rules, both within and outside of Illinois.

Licensing Requirements

While the 2018 Farm Bill and Industrial Hemp Act legalize hemp-derived CBD production and sale, in order to legally cultivate hemp, applicants must submit an application for each noncontiguous land area and each indoor cultivation operation area to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
  • Personal information
  • Address
  • A map and legal description of the proposed agricultural area must be provided
  • Hemp varieties considered for cultivation
  • Application fee
  • Type of business
Applications are handled in 30 days and, if approved, cultivation licenses are valid for three years from the date of issue. For a three-year license, you must pay $1,000; for a two-year license, $700; and for a one-year license, you'll pay $375. Anyone who has a felony conviction for a Controlled Substances offense in the previous ten years prior to their application date is not eligible for a hemp cultivation license under current rules. Non-compliance with licensing regulations may result in fines of up to $10,000 per infraction. Hemp is likewise subjected to random testing to ensure that THC concentration does not exceed 0.3 percent by weight. Samples are gathered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and tested straight by the department or sent to an authorized third-party lab for analysis. If THC levels are discovered to be between 0.3 and 0.7 percent, licensees can pay for a retest, otherwise, the government will destroy the plants.

Where to Buy CBD Products Legally In Illinois

Hemp-derived CBD products — including CBD oil — are available in a variety of online and physical locations. Because the production and sale of CBD medicines are largely unregulated, it's critical to do your research and purchase from a reputable manufacturer.

Medical Cannabis in Illinois

The cannabis plant is frequently referred to as "marijuana" or "weed." It is lawful in Illinois as of January 1st, 2020. Still, there are a number of limitations. People who require medical marijuana can acquire a card that exempts them from certain rules. They may, for example, produce their own at-home plants. You are allowed to get medical weed if you:
  • Have a qualifying condition
  • Get a medical note from your doctor.
  • Submitted your application to the Illinois Department of Public Health
  • Paid the fees

Steps to Receive a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois

Step 1: Visit a Physician

Visit a certified physician and get a document confirming your qualifying condition, and that treatment with cannabis is appropriate.

Step 2: Fill in the Application 

Create an account within the state portal and fill in the application by answering some questions.  You will need to also attach proof of residency, a photo and pay the required fees.

Step 3: Receive the Card

After the application approval, wait for the card. 

More about Medical Cannabis Card

Patients under 18 are not required to submit a photo or a fingerprint background check. Instead, they will have to meet with two doctors, one to get a certificate and the other to validate it. Also, they must select at least one caregiver.

Possession limits

It is legal to cultivate and sell hemp-derived CBD, including CBD oil, in Illinois, but there are no defined possession limits in place.

3. Notes

  1. Geoffrey William Guy; Brian Anthony Whittle; Philip Robson (2004). The Medicinal Uses of Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Pharmaceutical Press. pp. 74–. ISBN 978-0-85369-517-2.
  2. Bloomsbury Publishing (2010). Dictionary of Medical Terms. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 139