Darien Bans Sale of Kratom, Likely To Affect Vape Shops

DARIEN, IL – Darien aldermen voted Monday to ban the sale of kratom and similar products.

Such drugs are often sold at vape shops, among other businesses.

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The aldermen took the action, which was on their agenda, after experts spoke about the health effects of kratom addiction.

The prohibition affects laboratory-created drugs that function similarly to marijuana's active ingredient, THC.

Earlier this year, Naperville and Wheaton passed similar prohibitions.

During Monday's City Council meeting, Mayor Joseph Marchese said Naperville and Wheaton faced some resistance from their local vape shops.

Darien hasn't seen such opposition, perhaps because the city didn't publicize the pending action, he said.

"It was on our agenda tonight, but I venture to say our vape shops didn't know we were going to vote on this," Marchese said.

Alderman Ted Schauer said he wasn't a big fan of vape shops. He said the council's move may hurt their sales.

The experts told the council some kratom products look like candy, an observation that aldermen noted in their discussion.

"All it takes is some idiot 18-year-old at home handing out candy and he runs out of candy and grabs the wrong thing," Alderman Eric Gustafson said. "That's all it takes."

The council's vote for the ban was unanimous. It takes effect in 30 days.