Antioch adds delta-9 THC to list of products liquor and tobacco license holders can’t sell

Antioch has added delta-9 THC and related compounds to products businesses with village liquor and tobacco licenses are prohibited from selling in town.

The action this week expands an existing ordinance passed unanimously by village officials in late 2023. That ordinance, said to be among the first for a non-home rule community, bans the sale of delta-8 THC and kratom.

Unlike cannabis, which is heavily regulated and taxed by the state, those types of hemp-derived products are unregulated, untested and potentially dangerous, opponents say.

“The evolving landscape of psychoactive substances continues to challenge regulations designed to protect public health,” village documents state.

THC is the principal psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Hemp contains less THC and state regulations governing hemp products vary widely and are enforced unevenly

“Manufacturers are consistently altering the chemical makeup of compounds like delta-9 THC to circumvent existing laws, introducing new products with uncertain safety profiles,” according to village documents.

“It's just a matter of legislation keeping up with market trends,” said Geoffrey Guttschow, police chief/interim village administrator.

In the absence of state legislation, Guttschow said the village needs to keep pace to ensure unsafe products are kept out of the community.

Supporters of the bans say the products are sometimes treated with chemical additives making them more intoxicating than cannabis products and potentially causing serious side effects.

That's of particular concern because they are marketed to children and teenagers in packaging designed to look like popular candies, cookies or other products, supporters say.

“It does come down to health and safety,” Guttschow said.

Efforts to enact state legislation to regulate hemp sales have fallen short. A bill passed the Illinois Senate last year but was not called for a vote in the House before it adjourned in early January.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson worked against proposed legislation supported by Gov. JB Pritzker. In a statement, Johnson said he remains eager to work with partners to develop and pass legislation that “appropriately regulates hemp products” but not “unnecessarily create winners and losers in the industry.”