Hemp product regulations — not bans — will enhance consumer protections, economic opportunities

Although well-intentioned, recent actions by Alds. Anthony Napolitano (41st) and James Gardiner (45th) to ban the sale of hemp products in their wards are misinformed and hurt consumers and responsible businesses.

Federally legal hemp products made from naturally occurring cannabinoids are popular for helping improve the quality of life for people and their pets.

Unfortunately, conscientious hemp businesses are fighting for survival because straightforward regulations have not been implemented to protect people from illegitimate products.

Alongside other responsible hemp businesses in Illinois' growing hemp industry, our long-standing position is it's crucial to keep safe, federally legal CBD and hemp cannabinoid products accessible for adults and their pets.

It's equally important to implement common-sense regulations that prevent the sale of impure, illegitimate, mislabeled and untested products to anyone — especially those under 21. This includes banning "look-alike" items that appeal to children and products with unsafe, synthetic compounds not naturally found in hemp. We need simple regulations focused on quality and safety.

Responsible reforms include a minimum purchase age of 21 for all hemp cannabinoid products; third-party lab testing for safety, potency, and purity; clear, accurate labeling; and banning synthetic compounds and packaging designed to appeal to kids. These reforms will significantly enhance consumer protections while supporting economic opportunities for Illinois' small businesses and family farms.

For years, businesses like ours have advocated for equitable policy development, opposing misguided proposals to ban mainstream hemp products, including CBD. The hemp industry requires fair, consistent regulations, not prohibition.

We remain committed to collaborating with lawmakers to develop informed regulations that balance public safety with consumer access and economic sustainability.

Let's avoid knee-jerk actions and implement real reforms to ensure consumers have access to popular wellness products while also protecting our youth and economy.

Jeremy Dedic, Co-founder, Cubbington’s Cabinet, Logan Square

U.S. has changed

Wake up America! We're no longer a democracy. Let's look at the facts.

1. Trump is arresting and deporting anyone he wishes without due process.
2. He has defied all of the courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court if he disagrees with their rulings.
3. He uses executive orders to take action and completely ignores Congress
4. He uses the U.S. Department of Justice to attack anyone who disagrees with him.
5. He is gutting Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, the Environmental Protection Agency and Education Department.
6. The new bill he has just passed will give Immigration and Customs Enforcement more money than some countries' total defense budget. THEY WILL BE ROUNDING UP INNOCENT PEOPLE!! Even the Gestapo didn't cover their faces. Anyone could be next.
7. He is attacking the press and moving to eliminate any questioning of his authority.

I am a 78-year-old American who is afraid for the future of our country. This is how a dictator comes to power. It's not a matter of if this can happen here. It is already happening.

Trump is a lying, egotistical person with absolutely no morals. Please wake up, America!

Harold Morrison, Evanston

Stranger than fiction

It appears as if we are living George Orwell's novel "1984."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who has been charged with criminal war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court — has nominated President Donald Trump — who authorized the unprovoked bombing of Iran and is waging war against immigrants in this country — for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Neil Milbert, Wilmette

MAGA mileage

Excellent column last week by S.E. Cupp, regarding why Jeffrey Epstein's legacy won't destroy MAGA. A perfect breakdown of Donald Trump's followers and the rewards they reap from continuing to back him. We are in a mess of our own making, and it appears we're in it for the long haul.

Tiffany Brucato, Roselle

Mask on, mask off

Masks are good enough for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to harass people now. Why weren't masks good enough to wear during the COVID-19 pandemic when they saved people's lives?

Joe Urbancik, Morgan Park

Chicago has still got it

The current edition of the award-winning travel magazine Travel+Leisure, which has a circulation of 4.8 million readers, has the "World's Best Awards." In the category announcing the top 10 vacation destinations in the U.S., Chicago makes the list at Number 10.

Admittedly, I would have liked to have read that it was listed a little higher, but the magazine salutes our museums, educational institutions, sidewalks, lakefront, restaurants and other attributes that make Chicago a great vacation destination. Interestingly, none of the California cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles or San Diego, make the list.

In the very well-written and informative Sun-Times articles, we sometimes read about certain individuals who criticize our city and especially our mayor. These people want us to think that Chicago is a hell on earth. They especially attack Mayor Brandon Johnson for having a socialist orientation, as do a number of City Council members.

It is important to note New York City also made Travel+Leisure's vacation list, coming in at No. 8. The city's Democratic party nominee for mayor also is a socialist whose agenda is even more crisp and bold than Johnson's.

Congratulations to Chicago!

Fred Case, Lincoln Park