Mayor Vetoes Restrictive Hemp Ordinance

Johnson says proposed ban would concentrate market in hands of few large entities

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has vetoed a City Council ordinance that would have prohibited the sale of most hemp products outside of licensed cannabis dispensaries, citing concerns that the measure would unfairly target small, minority-owned businesses and perpetuate failed "War on Drugs" policies.

Why it matters

The proposed hemp ban was seen by some as an overly restrictive measure that would have shut out many entrepreneurs, particularly Black and brown business owners, from participating in the emerging hemp marketplace. Mayor Johnson argued that the city should instead focus on "thoughtful regulation" rather than "legislate entire segments of neighborhood business corridors out of existence."

The details

In January, the City Council passed an ordinance 32-16 that would have limited the sale of most hemp products to only licensed cannabis dispensaries starting in April. Alderman Marty Quinn introduced the measure out of concerns about hemp-derived CBD products that can be used to produce intoxicating compounds. Supporters argued the products' packaging mimics candy and targets children, but Mayor Johnson said "criminalization does not eliminate demand" and instead "pushes commerce into unregulated, black-market spaces."

  • In January, the City Council passed the hemp ban ordinance.
  • The ordinance was set to take effect in April, prohibiting the sale of most hemp products outside of licensed cannabis dispensaries.
  • Last summer, Mayor Johnson previously vetoed the controversial snap curfew ordinance.

The players

Mayor Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago who vetoed the City Council's hemp ban ordinance, arguing it would unfairly target small businesses and perpetuate failed drug war policies.

Alderman Marty Quinn

The 13th Ward alderman who introduced the ordinance to address concerns about hemp-derived CBD products that can produce intoxicating effects, citing packaging that mimics candy.

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What they’re saying

“We cannot claim to support equitable economic development while advancing policies that concentrate the market in the hands of a few large entities.”

— Mayor Brandon Johnson (The TRiiBE)

“We've seen first-hand that criminalization does not eliminate demand. Instead, these approaches push commerce into unregulated, black-market spaces where products are more difficult to regulate and control. Our responsibility is to pass thoughtful regulation, not to legislate entire segments of neighborhood business corridors out of existence.”

— Mayor Brandon Johnson (The TRiiBE)

What’s next

Mayor Johnson is calling on City Council members, public health experts, community leaders and industry stakeholders to work with his administration to create "balanced legislation and a responsible regulatory framework" for hemp products.

The takeaway

This veto highlights the tension between efforts to restrict access to certain hemp-derived products and the need to support small, minority-owned businesses in the emerging hemp marketplace. Mayor Johnson's stance reflects a shift away from the failed "War on Drugs" approach in favor of thoughtful regulation and equitable economic development.