ILLINOIS - The days are numbered for hemp-derived products such as Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC in Illinois and across the country.

A little-noticed provision in the recent federal government funding deal effectively bans the sale of those products, giving businesses one year from Nov. 12 to shut down operations.

What we know:

Drinks, vapes and other products containing Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC have been sold widely throughout Illinois.

They thrived due to a loophole in a years-old federal farm bill that legalized hemp but did not regulate hemp-derived intoxicants. That left businesses operating in legal limbo while state and city lawmakers struggled — and failed — to impose regulations.

The new federal provision closes that loophole. Once the one-year grace period expires, production and

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