Chicago Mayor Vetoes Ban On Intoxicating Hemp Product Sales

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) on Friday vetoed a ban on hemp-derived THC sales that the Chicago City Council passed last month, CBS News reports.

The ban would have banned the sale of intoxicating hemp products, including edibles, flower, and vaporizers in the city, but left a carve-out for hemp-derived beverages, drink additives, and topicals like gels and creams. Under the ordinance, licensed liquor retailers would have been allowed to continue selling THC-infused beverages.

The City Council, which voted 32-16 to pass the ban, could override the mayor’s veto with 34 votes.

In his veto letter, Johnson called the ban “premature,” considering federal changes coming in November — provisions added to a spending bill to reopen the government last year, signed by President Trump (R), included a federal ban on hemp-derived THC sales.

The mayor wrote that “the most responsible path forward for the City’sd hemp regulation is to align with the forthcoming federal guidance.”

“I made the decision to veto this ordinance because I continue to have significant concerns around the current proposal and the potential negative impacts this prohibition-style ban could have on our city.” — Mayor Johnson, in a statement

Johnson also wrote that hemp regulations should “both safeguard the health and well-being of residents” and “support the stability and growth of Chicago’s small business community,” while ensuring “adequate capacity” for regulatory enforcement.

The mayor issued the veto on the last day allowed under city law.