Chicago businesses react to Johnson's veto on hemp product ban

Chicago business owners who sell hemp-derived products say they're still on guard over ongoing legal discussions that could threaten their industry.

This follows Mayor Brandon Johnson's veto of an ordinance that would have banned most hemp-derived products in the city.

The veto came after the ordinance was passed by the City Council last month by a 32-16 vote. It would have immediately banned the sale of intoxicating hemp products to those younger than 21, and would ban the sale of most intoxicating hemp-based products starting April 1.

Critics had argued that the hemp industry poses risks to children.

The veto was a victory for businesses that sell hemp products, but a federal ban is still scheduled to go into effect later this year.

"No intoxicating potential in this product, but it was swept into the ban," said Jeremy Dedic, cofounder of Cubbington's Cabinet, a THC retailer located at 2015 W. Roscoe St. in Roscoe Village

Dedic said Cubbington's Cabinet and other businesses like it are glad that Mayor Johnson vetoed an ordinance. He said the ban would have potentially shuttered businesses selling such products, which make up a significant portion of the inventory.

The ordinance was put forth due to concerns that some products were marketed to minors and easily accessible to children.

Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) authored the ordinance after he said he heard stories about the "product getting in the wrong hands," in particular those of children.

The ordinance did not pass with a veto-proof majority.

Dedic and others in the industry said that while they opposed an outright ban, they do support more regulation to keep products safe and accessible.

But now, the issue also shifts to Washington, D.C.

"We're continuing to focus — a lot has been changing for the better on the federal front," Dedic said.

A federal ban on most hemp-derived products is set to take effect in November. Supporters of the ban echo concerns of child and consumer safety. If the ban takes effect, it would likely extinguish the growing industry around the country.

Dedic said there's been pushback to the scheduled ban and is hopeful that Congress will act to keep the industry alive.

"We hope that we'll be several months in a year from now to that process of federal understanding and regulation, policy writing and approval, and polishing of that so that we can get implemented for a better, sensible baseline for the entire country," he said.

Dedic had a message for politicians.

"Do your homework. Inform the policy with research and with evaluations, including the FDA, to inform that policy, instead of having it informed by stories or presumptions or biased towards certain industries," he said.

Johnson said in his veto of the ordinance that part of his rationale was to align with the coming federal guidance. He also pushed for more regulation, like age verification, proper labeling, and enforcement standards.

The mayor said in a statement, "As we await additional guidance and rules from the federal government, this ban is premature and requires further collaboration with our small business community." 

Mayor Johnson added that his veto was about equity. He felt the City Council-approved ban, which specifically excluded help beverages, would have protected bars and dispensaries at the expense of small hemp retailers.