A proposed ordinance (0013-25) that would prohibit the sale or provision of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids (products such as some delta-8 THC items) to people under age 21 failed to secure a referral when the council recorded a tied result Oct. 30.

The draft would have barred sales and distribution of certain intoxicating hemp products to people younger than 21 while leaving commonly used non-intoxicating hemp items such as topical CBD available. The city attorney told the council that municipalities can regulate intoxicating hemp products and that a first-time forfeiture amount of up to $3,000 was included in the draft ordinance; officers could issue citations with a lower bond amount to settle without court.

Supporters of the restriction cited concerns about youth access and vaping in city schools and urged the council to adopt the age limit. "A lot of the conversation we have at public safety is vape and the problems that we are seeing in our community currently," Alder Kelly said in support. Opponents and some members asked whether the penalty amounts were appropriate and whether state law or market dynamics would complicate enforcement.

Result: On the motion to refer the ordinance, the clerk recorded votes that produced a 6-6 tie; by council practice the tie means the motion failed and the matter was not referred. The chair declined to cast a deciding vote.

Next steps: The issue may return as an amendment or as a separate ordinance at a later meeting. The council debated several other public-safety-related ordinances that night, some of which were referred to committees and some of which failed on recorded motions.

Sources: Meeting transcript Oct. 30 (roll-call vote recorded at ~00:xx).