Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has vetoed a City Council ordinance that would have banned intoxicating hemp products, giving local businesses that sell these products more time to operate. The council passed the ban last month with a 32-16 vote, but Johnson waited until the final day before using his veto power, an uncommon move for a Chicago mayor.
The proposed ban included exceptions for hemp-derived THC drinks, which are supported by the hospitality industry. However, it threatened businesses relying on sales of hemp edibles, vapes, and flowers—products often used as alternatives due to Illinois’ limited marijuana licensing.
This is only the second time Johnson has used his veto since taking office. His previous veto blocked a policy granting police new curfew enforcement powers.
Johnson explained in his veto letter that acting at the city level was “premature” given upcoming federal regulations. He wrote, “Any local hemp regulatory framework needs to both safeguard the health and wellbeing of residents, especially young people, support the stability and growth of Chicago’s small business community, and ensure that the enforcing departments have adequate capacity to conduct equitable enforcement.”
Alderman Marty Quinn (13th Ward), who led efforts for the ban both locally and citywide, criticized Johnson’s decision. Quinn said after the veto: “The mayor’s position on hemp defies logic. He’s prioritizing dodgy storefronts over the kids of the city of Chicago.” Quinn argued that intoxicating hemp products often resemble candies marketed toward children—a claim denied by business owners—and said they exist due to loopholes in federal law.
Despite Quinn’s push following a federal ban passed in November set to take effect later this year, he admitted Friday he lacked enough support to override Johnson’s veto. Overriding requires 34 council votes.
Industry groups welcomed Johnson’s decision. Craig Katz, president of the Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association, stated: ”We are very pleased that the Mayor has decided to support small businesses and a growing industry in the City. It takes courage to stand up for principle. However, we know that there is still much work to do and we look forward to working with the Mayor and City Council to craft responsible regulation that protect consumers and children, while allowing businesses to thrive.”
In recent weeks, business owners organized letter-writing campaigns and press conferences urging Johnson not to sign off on the ban. Jeremy Dedic, owner of Cubbington’s Cabinet apothecary shop on Roscoe Street, said Thursday night: “We would be a vacant storefront come April 1st if this nefarious ordinance passes. The ordinance is a form of prohibition which never works. What we need is smart regulation to protect consumer health and child safety.”
Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward), who opposed Quinn’s measure, said it favored large companies at small retailers’ expense: “Big industry is the problem,” Sigcho-Lopez said. “They do not like competition.”
Hemp businesses may still face challenges ahead due to forthcoming federal restrictions on such products; however, these could be delayed or replaced by new local or state laws.
