Hemp Industry Pushes Back as Chicago Committee Advances Citywide Sales Ban (Chicago, IL) – A proposal to ban all hemp product sales in Chicago is drawing sharp criticism from hemp industry leaders, who argue the measure does little to protect children and instead shields established players in cannabis, liquor distribution, and the restaurant industry.
The ordinance, advanced last week by the City Council’s Committee on License and Consumer Protection, would prohibit the sale of all hemp-derived products within city limits. Committee members have framed the move as a child-safety measure, but industry advocates say that explanation doesn’t align with the facts—or with years of prior requests from hemp businesses for age restrictions.
“Everyone wants to protect children,” said Craig Katz, president of the board of the Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association (IHAA). “Our members have been urging the City Council to pass a 21-and-over age-gating ordinance for years. We can achieve responsible regulation that keeps products away from minors while ensuring safety and access. We’re eager to partner with the Council to find real solutions.”
Industry leaders point to national data showing hemp-linked child fatalities are extraordinarily rare. Over the last 16 years, four child deaths nationwide listed THC as a possible contributing factor. By comparison, in single recent years, 229 children died in drunk-driving crashes (2020), 98 died from household cleaning products (2022), and 56 died from alcohol intoxication (2022).
Advocates say that despite these disparities, the ordinance zeroes in on hemp while carving out notable exceptions for THC-infused beverages, which would still be allowed in liquor stores if routed through distributors.
“The quick analysis is that once again this action only benefits big business and picks winners and losers,” Katz said. “Those with the most money win. Small business loses, and so do consumers.”
He also questioned the logic behind restricting some forms of THC while permitting others.
“It disingenuously says it’s okay for beverages to have THC and be sold outside of dispensaries, but not anything else,” he said. “What’s the difference between a 5-milligram beverage and a 5-milligram gummy? Same amount of THC, yet one is allowed in liquor stores and the other only in dispensaries. They’re making the rules up as they go along.”
The full Chicago City Council is expected to take up the proposal in the coming weeks, setting the stage for a significant policy fight between city officials, the regulated cannabis industry, and hemp businesses that say the ban threatens their livelihoods.
Hemp Industry Pushes Back as Chicago Committee Advances Citywide Sales Ban
