Chicago Hemp Ban Veto Stands

- The ordinance would have banned the sale of most intoxicating hemp products, such as Delta-8 edibles and vapes, outside of licensed cannabis dispensaries, with an effective date of April 1. It included exemptions for topical creams, pet products, and THC-infused beverages sold at establishments with a liquor license. - Proponents of the ban, including Alderman Marty Quinn, argued it was a measure to protect children, stating that hemp products are often sold in packaging that mimics candy and snacks. - Mayor Brandon Johnson, in his veto statement, expressed concern that the ban would disproportionately harm small, minority-owned businesses. He argued many of these entrepreneurs entered the federally legal hemp market after being excluded from the expensive state-licensed cannabis industry. - The veto was sustained when the City Council's override attempt failed with a 26-20 vote, falling short of the 34 votes required. This outcome means the regulation of hemp-derived products remains unchanged in Chicago for the time being. - An economic analysis projected that a ban could jeopardize a significant number of local businesses and jobs. In Cook County alone, the hemp industry includes approximately 1,850 independent retailers, supports around 8,200 jobs, and generates an estimated $620 million in annual sales. - Opponents of the ban warned it would not solve safety issues but would instead create a black market for the products and shift revenue to a small number of licensed cannabis dispensaries and liquor retailers. - Mayor Johnson and other critics of the ordinance called for regulation rather than prohibition, suggesting measures like stricter age verification, responsible labeling, and a tax on the products. The mayor's initial 2026 budget proposal included a plan to regulate and tax hemp products, which he projected could generate $10 million in city revenue.