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Rolling Meadows City Hall (Patrick Jasionowski/Special to the Journal)
After listening to five residents and business owners object to it, the Rolling Meadows City Council passed an ordinance banning the sale of certain products on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
Aldermen passed the ordinance on first reading on Oct. 8. It bans the retail sale of products containing kratom, tianeptine, or hemp-derived THC over a low concentration. Exemptions allow for the sale of FDA-regulated therapeutic products and licensed recreational or medical marijuana products.
However, at the meeting on the 22nd, several people spoke out against the ordinance.
The owner of 24/7 Pantry Smoke Shop stated simply, “It will put me out of business.” He stated that he has always followed all of the city’s rules and never had a single violation. “We only carry reputable products that are sold, not only across the state of Illinois, but also federally,” he said.
He asked the council to reconsider the ordinance, at least for the kratom and THC products. He added that the ordinance will hurt Rolling Meadows businesses but not change people’s behavior. “Banning them will only cause consumers to go down the road.”
Two people gave testimonies about their own use of kratom. Dr. Heidi Sikora, a former nurse practitioner, explained that her career was cut short by several disorders that lead to severe pain. “Fortunately, I found kratom,” she said. “It has given me my quality of life back.”
Sikora explained that kratom is also used by people with other addictions to curb those urges. “Kratom is a valuable plant that has been used safely for hundreds of years,” she said.
Sikora also disagreed with some of the points in the city’s summary of the ordinance. Where she agreed that kratom is addictive, people addicted to it are no longer addicted to opiates or other much more dangerous drugs. The city’s packet also stated the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration stated that kratom has been associated with overdose and fatalities. “That is absolutely incorrect,” she said. “They’re talking about poly substance drug abuse,” overdoses that occur from a different drug taken with kratom.
Another Rolling Meadows store owner echoed Sikora’s point, explaining that kratom is less addictive than other drugs and helps people addicted to narcotics. She also pointed out that the ordinance would ban hemp-derived THC while allowing CBD to remain legal. “Cannabis is federally illegal while hemp THC is legal,” she said.
“I’m committed to public safety,” said Mayor Lara Sanoica. She reaffirmed the city’s stance that kratom has serious side effects. “This council makes evidence based decisions,” she said, adding that the city would reassess the ordinance if new information becomes available.
Ald. Kevin O’Brien (3rd) wondered where the opposition was while the city worked toward this decision. “We’ve had this discussion in a past Committee of the Whole meeting and the first reading was two weeks ago,” he pointed out. “We have discussed this at great length.”
The council then unanimously passed the ban. It later passed a resolution requesting legislative action by the Illinois General Assembly to create a statewide ban on the sales of the three substances.
Ald. Nick Budmats (2nd) later in the meeting added, “We have to make the error, if we’re going to make one, on the side of public safety.” He hoped the people in opposition to the ordinance would follow up with the general assembly to create a statewide policy.
“We’re not trying to put anybody out of business,” Budmats added.
”}]] Rolling Meadows City Hall (Patrick Jasionowski/Special to the Journal) After listening to five residents and business owners object to it, the Rolling Meadows City Council passed an ordinance banning the sale of certain products on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Aldermen passed the ordinance on first reading on Oct. 8. It bans the retail sale of products Read More