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DeKalb outlaws sale of unregulated hemp-derived THC products and kratom
Summary
Ordinance 2025-030 passed June 23 to prohibit sale of unregulated hemp-derived THC products and kratom within DeKalb; the change follows public safety concerns about untested products sold in local retail shops and extensive public comment from small-business owners and residents.
The DeKalb City Council unanimously passed Ordinance 2025-030 on June 23, adding a new section to Chapter 52 to prohibit the sale of unregulated hemp‑derived tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products and kratom within city limits.
City Manager Bill Nicholas and the city attorney told the council the products being sold at some local shops are not subject to seed‑to‑sale testing that state‑licensed cannabis dispensaries must follow; packaging and product purity vary, and some items are marketed in small disposable foil packets. The city attorney said kratom, a Southeast Asian plant with psychoactive effects, has been included because municipalities that banned unregulated hemp THC often added kratom due to similar abuse patterns.
Public comment at the meeting was extensive and divided. Several small‑business owners described the financial impact of a ban and said they comply with state rules and pay taxes; several residents and other commenters urged a ban, citing youth access, public‑health harms and personal stories of addiction. City staff and council members emphasized the difference between regulated dispensaries and unregulated retail products sold off the shelf, and several councilors said regulation is needed to prevent harms.
The ordinance passed on first reading and councilors voted to waive second reading the same night; the city attorney noted the text is similar to recent ordinances adopted by other Illinois municipalities. The new code section takes effect under the city’s ordinance schedule and will be enforced by city code and public-safety staff.
