Sales of the weedlike substances have increased, in part thanks to a loophole in federal law, prompting smoke shops that sell unregulated products to minors to pop up.

A bill that would have effectively banned the sale of delta-8 and other hemp intoxicants outside of dispensaries is likely dead in the statehouse. Gov. JB Pritzker called the Illinois House's failure to vote on the bill a "tragedy.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s bid to reset his agenda for the new year was eclipsed Tuesday by a remarkably direct attack from Gov. JB Pritzker, following the governor’s rare defeat in Springfield concerning hemp regulations the mayor opposed.

Mayor Brandon Johnson weighed in on the hemp bill in the Illinois General Assembly on Tuesday. He said he's glad the bill didn't move forward and work has just begun on regulations.