Chicago City Council Approves Ban on Hemp THC Products, With Exceptions for Beverages, Ointments
The Chicago City Council voted to outlaw a wide range of hemp-derived products, including those containing delta-8 THC, which is nearly identical in chemical composition to marijuana but is not classified as a drug. The ban aims to protect minors from accessing these products, but some council members expressed concerns that it would harm the burgeoning hemp industry and drive businesses out.
The ban, championed by 13th Ward Alderman Marty Quinn, passed with a vote of 32-16. It allows for the sale of hemp beverages, pet products, and other CBD offerings, as long as they are produced and sold by licensed vendors and contain no more than 10 milligrams of THC.
Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration opposed the measure, citing concerns that it would be difficult to enforce and threaten hundreds of jobs. However, Quinn argued that the ban was necessary to protect kids and ensure that products were not marketed in a way that appealed to minors.
The federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 allowed for the extraction and concentration of THC from hemp, leading to the proliferation of hemp-derived products without regulatory oversight. The Trump administration has since announced plans to close this loophole, but Congress has yet to take action.
Aldermen expressed concerns about the impact of the ban on small businesses, particularly those owned by minority entrepreneurs who have thrived in the CBD and hemp industry. Alderman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez warned that bans do not deter people from seeking out these products, which will only end up in the black market.
The ban penalizes businesses selling hemp products without a license up to $5,000, except for cannabis dispensaries. It also includes provisions allowing licensed vendors to sell hemp-infused beverages and additives at bars, restaurants, and packaged goods stores, as long as they contain no more than 10 milligrams of THC.
Industry leaders, including the Illinois Hemp Business Association, argued that the ban amounts to economic favoritism for the cannabis industry over the hemp industry. The association's director, Charles Wu, said that clear rules and consistent enforcement are necessary to ensure fair competition and protect businesses like his own, which employs employees who have benefited from the growing demand for hemp products.
As the federal ban takes effect later this year, Chicago's hemp industry faces an uncertain future. With the city's ordinance providing some exemptions, business owners will likely be watching closely as they try to navigate this new regulatory landscape and ensure their livelihoods are protected.
The Chicago City Council voted to outlaw a wide range of hemp-derived products, including those containing delta-8 THC, which is nearly identical in chemical composition to marijuana but is not classified as a drug. The ban aims to protect minors from accessing these products, but some council members expressed concerns that it would harm the burgeoning hemp industry and drive businesses out.
The ban, championed by 13th Ward Alderman Marty Quinn, passed with a vote of 32-16. It allows for the sale of hemp beverages, pet products, and other CBD offerings, as long as they are produced and sold by licensed vendors and contain no more than 10 milligrams of THC.
Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration opposed the measure, citing concerns that it would be difficult to enforce and threaten hundreds of jobs. However, Quinn argued that the ban was necessary to protect kids and ensure that products were not marketed in a way that appealed to minors.
The federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 allowed for the extraction and concentration of THC from hemp, leading to the proliferation of hemp-derived products without regulatory oversight. The Trump administration has since announced plans to close this loophole, but Congress has yet to take action.
Aldermen expressed concerns about the impact of the ban on small businesses, particularly those owned by minority entrepreneurs who have thrived in the CBD and hemp industry. Alderman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez warned that bans do not deter people from seeking out these products, which will only end up in the black market.
The ban penalizes businesses selling hemp products without a license up to $5,000, except for cannabis dispensaries. It also includes provisions allowing licensed vendors to sell hemp-infused beverages and additives at bars, restaurants, and packaged goods stores, as long as they contain no more than 10 milligrams of THC.
Industry leaders, including the Illinois Hemp Business Association, argued that the ban amounts to economic favoritism for the cannabis industry over the hemp industry. The association's director, Charles Wu, said that clear rules and consistent enforcement are necessary to ensure fair competition and protect businesses like his own, which employs employees who have benefited from the growing demand for hemp products.
As the federal ban takes effect later this year, Chicago's hemp industry faces an uncertain future. With the city's ordinance providing some exemptions, business owners will likely be watching closely as they try to navigate this new regulatory landscape and ensure their livelihoods are protected.
another state starts to step on its own CBD/hemp industry 
what's next? we all know how that goes... 
13th Ward Alderman Marty Quinn thinks it's about protecting kids, but let's be real, this is just a slap in the face for minority entrepreneurs trying to make a living 
. The hemp industry was growing and now they're basically being told "nope, good luck with that" 
. Can't we just have some consistency and clarity on regulations already? 
it's like Congress is playing catch-up and the states are starting to take matters into their own hands 
. Anyone else worried about where this is all going to lead? 
on the CBD and hemp industry in Chicago. I mean, 13th Ward Alderman Marty Quinn's got some concerns about protecting minors, but at what cost? Those small businesses are already struggling to stay afloat. It's like, can't they just put up a warning label or something? 
. Like, Alderman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez said that bans don't work, and I think she might be right. But on the other hand, it's hard to argue with the idea of protecting kids from accessing these products.
. Like, Chicago could offer some kind of certification program for hemp businesses that shows they're committed to responsible practices and safety. That way, people can still support their favorite local shops without worrying about breaking the law 
I think it's kinda weird that Chicago is making a big deal about banning hemp THC products just because of delta-8, which is literally super close to marijuana. Like, can't we just regulate these products better instead of banning them altogether? 
It's not like kids are going to be sniffing around hemp shops looking for a high, they're probably gonna find 'em online anyway.
On the other hand, I get why there needs to be some protection for minors... it's all about finding that balance, right?
. i mean, the hemp industry is already strugglin due 2 that federal ban comin in this year... now this city council decision just puts the nail in the coffin 
.
It's about time someone took a stand against these CBD-heavy businesses taking over everything! The fact that minors will still be able to get their hands on them through the black market just proves that people can't be trusted to make responsible choices. And let's be real, if it wasn't for the cannabis industry "luring" all the hemp jobs out of town, we'd have a lot more people struggling to find employment...
and the mayor's admin was right that this would hurt small businesses especially minority owned ones theyre the ones who need our help not the big corporations already making bank off hemp products
. We need to make sure that our entrepreneurs have a fair chance to succeed, not be held back by unnecessary regulations 
.
. I think they should've just been clearer about what was allowed and what wasn't from the start 
. The format is so disjointed, though - one minute it's saying the ban is about protecting kids, and the next it's talking about economic favoritism... can't we just get a clear layout here? 