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Palos Park council directs staff to draft ordinance to restrict kratom sales, consider licensing limits near schools
Summary
Council members instructed staff to draft an ordinance to prohibit or restrict kratom sales in Palos Park and to consider licensing caps and 1,000-foot school buffers for vape/tobacco retailers; the manager cited FDA warnings and rising exposure reports.
Village manager Smith asked the council on June 22 to direct staff to prepare ordinance language that would prohibit the sale of kratom in Palos Park and to consider related retailer licensing and location restrictions.
Manager Smith summarized health and marketing concerns, saying some kratom products are being marketed to young people and that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned the substance is not lawfully marketed as a drug product in the United States and has safety concerns. Smith told the council that local and regional municipalities had begun prohibiting kratom sales and that the village’s current tobacco licensing ordinance lacks detailed product definitions.
Council members discussed multiple policy options: an outright prohibition on kratom sales; restricting certain product forms (for example, banning synthetically produced kratom formulations while allowing natural leaf); creating a cap on vape/tobacco licenses similar to liquor licensing so the number of such retailers would be controlled; and establishing geographic buffers (a commonly cited option was a 1,000-foot separation from schools). Commissioners emphasized outreach to affected businesses before adopting an ordinance.
Commissioner Vincent said staff should speak with business owners to explain community concerns and explore voluntary compliance before imposing a ban. Commissioner Polk expressed particular concern about proximity to schools and said she favors a 1,000-foot buffer and license caps. Commissioner Burke said he would review proposed language and consider enforcement feasibility before deciding his position.
Public comment followed: Michael Fassano, who identified himself as a long-term consumer of natural kratom tea, asked the council to consider regulations that distinguish natural leaf kratom from synthetic products, warning that blanket criminalization could have severe consequences for some users and veterans who rely on natural leaf products for symptom relief.
What council directed The council asked staff to draft ordinance language and to begin outreach with local businesses; no ordinance language was adopted at the meeting. Council members discussed possible enforcement options including fines, license suspension and ultimately license revocation for repeat violations.
Why it matters Local regulation of kratom, if adopted, would affect retail outlets in Palos Park and set limits on where and how certain products can be sold. Any ban or licensing limit would also require an enforcement plan and legal review given varied approaches in neighboring communities.
What’s next Manager Smith will prepare draft ordinance language incorporating the council’s direction and will meet with affected businesses before returning a proposed ordinance for council consideration.
