Chicago City Council delays final vote on hemp-derived THC product ban

OG article by Sara Tenenbaum

December 11, 2025

The Chicago City Council delayed a final vote on a proposed ban of intoxicating hemp-derived THC products, such as Delta-8 and Delta-9, outside licensed marijuana dispensaries. Aldermen Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez and Byron Sigcho-Lopez used a parliamentary maneuver to postpone the vote until the next meeting before month's end, amid discussions on a 2026 budget plan. The License and Consumer Protection Committee advanced the ordinance on December 3, aiming to close a loophole in Illinois' 2018 Industrial Hemp Act, which legalized hemp for industrial uses and non-intoxicating CBD but allowed unregulated synthetic THC products. These products, legalized under the Act despite recreational marijuana legalization in 2020 with stricter rules, are opposed by Governor JB Pritzker for undermining the legal marijuana industry and risking harm to children and teens, often packaged like candy or pop. Statewide regulation has stalled in Springfield. Supporters highlight child accessibility, while dozens of business owners warn of store closures. Mayor Brandon Johnson opposes the ban, favoring regulation with a 21+ purchase age, labeling, testing, and taxation for $10 million annual revenue, plus bans on snack-like products. He dropped his plan after a federal ban on hemp/CBD with over 0.4 mg THC, effective November 2026. This delay allows more debate on balancing public safety with economic impacts, potentially leading to amended proposals. The issue underscores tensions between state and local policies on cannabis derivatives.