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Hemp business owners urge council to hold Bill 15, warn ban would close county stores
Summary
Multiple hemp and small-business speakers told the council Bill 15 (a proposed ban on hemp‑derived cannabinoids) would shutter compliant stores, drive sales underground and hurt local jobs; the council moved to hold Bill 15 for further review.
Multiple business owners and industry representatives urged the St. Louis County Council on July 15 to reject a wholesale ban on hemp‑derived cannabinoids and instead adopt targeted regulation.
David Platnick, introduced himself as president of CBD Kratom and said his company operates six St. Louis County stores, along with the company headquarters and a fulfillment center in the county. "Please vote no on bill number 15 and pass common sense regulation instead," Platnick said, warning that a ban would force his company to close county locations and relocate, putting about 85 county employees out of work.
Another owner, Murad, said the ordinance would shut down compliant, tax‑paying businesses and drive the market underground. "This isn't regulation. It's blanket prohibition," he said, arguing the bill was rushed with minimal public engagement and suggesting some companies could be unfairly exempted if special carve‑outs exist.
Lee Riley, who works with hemp beverage and gummy companies, also urged the council to work with compliant operators on age verification, third‑party testing and other standards rather than banning high‑quality hemp THC products.
After public comment, the council moved to hold Bill 15 (the motion was made on the floor and recorded as held). Several councilmembers later said they would request a committee of the whole to give the issue more public vetting.
