Cannabis shops at risk of closing amid new federal law
By Jasmine Franklin
Click here for updates on this story
WAUWATOSA, Wisconsin (WISN) — Several cannabis stores are fighting to stay in business, including Kelly’s Greens in Wauwatosa.
The owner, Erin Kelly, said they’re facing uncertainty as a new federal hemp law is set to take effect this November.
Kelly opened the cafe after losing her job during the pandemic, but she says they are now at risk of shutting down.
“The ban is super impactful here because Wisconsin has no other access to legal cannabis,” Kelly said.
Recreational and medicinal marijuana are both illegal in Wisconsin.
But stores selling THC and CBD products have been working under a federal loophole, until now.
New federal legislation set to take effect on Nov. 12 would ban all hemp products with a THC concentration over .3 percent, impacting shops across the state.
“We have 3500 jobs on the line; this is a $700,000 million industry,” Kelly said.
“I mean, it would be devastating if we have to close. Kelly’s Greens has become an essential place in our community,” Kelly said.
The cannabis cafe is not giving up; they’re hosting a rally on Monday, hoping to gain more attention from state lawmakers.
Several bipartisan bills aimed at regulating t-h-c products in the state have already failed.
“All of those would go away, including CBD dog treats and sleep gummies, so it’s a complete ban that would leave our community with no options,” Kelly said.
Kelly says the ban’s impact reaches far beyond her shop; it will also be a change for the many Wisconsinites who rely on it.
The “Save Hemp” rally is Monday at 5:30 p.m., outside Kelly’s Greens located at 90th and North.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.