Wheaton council adopts ordinance tightening rules on THC and psychoactive products after public concern over kratom

The Wheaton City Council on April 20 passed O‑2026‑19, amending the city code to add provisions related to tetrahydrocannabinol products and other psychoactive substances. City Manager Michael Dzugan told the council the ordinance responds to proliferation of unregulated products, resident complaints and enforcement gaps; he also noted pending state legislation (SB 3160) that would prohibit sale of kratom.

Several members of the public urged the council to narrow the ordinance’s language to distinguish natural‑leaf kratom from synthetic compounds. Jim Sourek, a Lisle resident, told the council that “the City’s blanket ban of kratom will not eliminate the use and only push consumers to purchase it from other sources.” Pete Olander, founder and CEO of Happie Beverages, Inc., said the proposal “would make it unlawful for him to operate a portion of his business out of Wheaton,” while other commenters urged the city to target synthetic 7‑OH products rather than natural kratom.

The council voted unanimously to pass the ordinance. City Manager Dzugan summarized the rationale as driven by public complaints and enforcement difficulties; the record also notes local advocates urging differentiation between natural kratom and synthetics during the public comment period. The ordinance language adopted will be applied by staff for enforcement and any future refinements would require further council action.