ILHAA President Craig Katz said the timing underscores the risks of trying to eliminate consumer demand by outlawing products rather than regulating them.
“The end of Prohibition was a recognition that banning substances does not eliminate their use; it merely pushes them underground,” Katz said. “The current push to ban hemp products stems from the same outdated mindset that gave rise to Prohibition. We must learn from history and make sure we do not duplicate past mistakes.”
Chicago’s proposed ordinance would prohibit the sale of all hemp-derived products citywide. On Wednesday, the City Council’s Committee on License and Consumer Protection advanced the measure on a 10–6 vote, sending it to the full council for consideration.
ILHAA, which represents hemp businesses and advocates for consumer protection, said it is working with aldermen to amend the ordinance and replace the ban with a regulatory framework focused on safety and restrictions on youth access.
“History has shown bans are not effective and they pose serious risks to consumers,” Katz said. “The right approach is responsible regulation. Let’s work to create product safety guidelines, and let’s make it illegal for minors to purchase these products. The last thing we need is a repeat of the problems that Prohibition created for the City of Chicago.”
The association argues that clear product standards and strict age limits would protect children while allowing legitimate businesses to operate responsibly.
ILHAA and other stakeholders in the state’s legal hemp industry say they plan to continue lobbying City Council members ahead of a final vote.
