Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson has decided to veto an ordinance designed to regulate sales of "Delta-8" and similar products made with hemp.
The proposal would have banned sales of intoxicating hemp products to anyone under 21, and banned sales outside of cannabis dispensaries.
The sponsor, Southwest side Ald. Marty Quinn, said he proposed the restriction after putting an outright ban in place in his ward, and receiving interest from other aldermen. It won final passage in City Council on January 21, with 32 aldermen voting for it, many citing concerns about children buying potentially dangerous substances packaged to look like candy.
But as recently as Tuesday, Mayor Johnson told reporters at City Hall he was concerned about about the potential impact on small businesses: "At a time in which businesses are growing and proliferating in our city, we don't want to upset that viability."
His veto message in part called the proposed restriction "premature," and suggested any regulation should balance public health priorities with economic considerations.
Ald. Quinn (13th Ward) said the veto "defied logic."
"You have a compromise ordinance that 32 alders from all over the city of Chicago agree on and you're going to veto that?" Ald. Quinn said. "The mayor is prioritizing dodgy storefronts over the safety of kids in the city of Chicago."
Thirty-four votes would be needed to override the mayor's veto. Ald. Quinn said he will not attempt an override.