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Board hears first reading on proposed ban of unregulated ‘cannabis-like’ products; resident urges regulation of kratom
Summary
Village staff presented ordinance 25-16, a first reading to restrict sale of unregulated cannabis-like products to state-licensed establishments; a resident urged trustees to treat kratom separately and consider regulation rather than a sales ban.
Village staff presented Ordinance 25-16 as a first reading, proposing to add Section 6-7-4 to the municipal code to limit the sale of certain unregulated cannabis-like products to state-licensed establishments. No vote was taken; the ordinance was described as not affecting state-licensed recreational or medical cannabis retailers and, if adopted, would take effect Aug. 1 to give local sellers time to come into compliance.
During the public-comment period, James Pratt, a Morton Grove-area resident, addressed the board specifically about kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia that some residents use for energy, concentration and pain management. Pratt urged trustees to consider that kratom is not cannabis and to evaluate the scientific safety profile before imposing a sales ban. He said some users rely on kratom as an alternative to opioids and described an FDA ascending-dose study he said found kratom well tolerated until relatively high doses (Pratt said the first adverse event in that study was nausea at roughly 12 grams).
Pratt also warned about adulterated kratom products entering the market and recommended regulation focused on labeling, testing and age restrictions rather than a blanket ban. The transcript shows the village staff committed to follow up on information about kratom and provide guidance before the next meeting.
Why it matters: The proposed ordinance would change local retail rules for products that resemble cannabis but are not sold at state-licensed cannabis businesses; businesses currently selling these products inside the village would need time to comply or cease retail sales. Trustees did not take action during the first reading and directed staff to gather additional information on kratom and related products.
Next steps: Staff will follow up with the information referenced by Pratt (the transcript notes an email from Heidi Sikora) and bring guidance to a future meeting; the ordinance remains at first-reading status.
