Evanston committee weighs tax on Delta‑8 products; member recuses amid conflict

The Evanston Reparations Committee discussed a recommendation to the City Council to impose a tax on Delta‑8 or other hemp‑derived products as an additional revenue source for the reparations fund but did not vote on the item.

Council Member Burns said they would recuse from that discussion because of a stated interest in Illinois’ adult‑use cannabis program. "I actually am going to have to recuse myself from this discussion because I have an interest in the adult use cannabis program in Illinois," Burns said during committee discussion.

Legal staff raised immediate questions: whether singling out a specific hemp‑derived product could trigger legal challenges, how a local tax would interact with the state’s existing cannabis tax structure, and the uncertainty created by evolving federal and state court or legislative activity. Committee members also flagged practical issues about tax administration—who would collect the tax, how collection would be enforced, and whether local action would remain effective if state or federal rules change.

Some committee members and public commenters said the idea remains of interest because it could provide a recurring revenue stream, while others urged caution until legal and administrative complications are clarified. Vanessa urged the committee to consider an additional step: restricting minors from purchasing Delta‑8 products and to forward any youth‑protection language to human services or the council for consideration.

No formal motion or vote was taken; the committee will revisit the item when staff can provide legal and administrative guidance and when the committee can hold a vote with a quorum.