Chicago Businesses Celebrate Mayor's Veto of Hemp Product Ban

Federal ban still looms, but local businesses see veto as a victory for now

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Chicago business owners who sell hemp-derived products are celebrating after Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed an ordinance that would have banned most of their products. The veto was a win for these businesses, but they remain wary of a looming federal ban on hemp-derived products set to take effect later this year.

Why it matters

The veto allows Chicago businesses to continue selling hemp-derived products, which make up a significant portion of their inventory. However, the federal ban could still shut down this growing industry across the country if Congress does not intervene.

The details

The vetoed ordinance was put forth due to concerns that some hemp products were being marketed to minors and were easily accessible to children. Ald. Marty Quinn (13th Ward) authored the ordinance after hearing stories about the "product getting in the wrong hands." However, business owners like Jeremy Dedic, co-founder of Cubbington's Cabinet, argued that their products have "no intoxicating potential" and opposed an outright ban, though they support more regulation to keep products safe and accessible.

  • The ordinance banning most hemp-derived products was vetoed by Mayor Brandon Johnson on February 16, 2026.
  • A federal ban on most hemp-derived products is set to take effect in November 2026.

The players

Mayor Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago who vetoed the ordinance banning most hemp-derived products.

Ald. Marty Quinn

The 13th Ward alderman who authored the ordinance banning most hemp-derived products due to concerns about the products being marketed to minors and easily accessible to children.

Jeremy Dedic

The co-founder of Cubbington's Cabinet, a THC retailer in Roscoe Village, who opposed the ordinance banning most hemp-derived products.

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What they’re saying

“No intoxicating potential in this product, but it was swept into the ban.”

— Jeremy Dedic, Co-founder, Cubbington's Cabinet (cbsnews.com)

“We hope that we'll be several months in a year from now to that process of federal understanding and regulation, policy writing and approval, and polishing of that so that we can get implemented for a better, sensible baseline for the entire country.”

— Jeremy Dedic, Co-founder, Cubbington's Cabinet (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Businesses are hopeful that Congress will act to prevent the federal ban on most hemp-derived products from taking effect in November 2026, which could shut down the growing industry across the country.

The takeaway

The veto of the Chicago ordinance banning hemp products is a temporary victory for local businesses, but the looming federal ban remains a major threat to the industry. Businesses are calling for sensible federal regulation and policy to allow the hemp industry to continue growing and serving consumers safely.