MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — A Piatt County city said they’re getting out in front of banning the sale of certain synthetic drugs they say have impacted the community negatively.

The Monticello City Council just passed an ordinance Monday night banning the sale of kratom, Delta THC, and more synthetic drugs. But not everyone at the meeting was on board.

The discussion centered around a distinction some people made between whole leaf kratom and the 7-OH synthetic version. While they were all against 7-OH, some people urged the council to not blanket ban the sale of all types of kratom.

“We want to make sure that it’s done in a safe and regulated atmosphere,” said Piatt County Mental Health Center Director Tony Kirkman.

It’s something he said doesn’t always happen when it comes to selling kratom, THC products and other synthetic drugs.

“Illinois cannabis laws, it was, put together through a farm bill that was loosely defined, and, some of the issues that we’re dealing with aren’t quite packaged within that,” Kirkman said. “So, we’re just trying to, again, make sure we’re creating a safe environment.”

He and others say these products come with drawbacks, and the Piatt County Mental Health Center reported that several individuals have been treated for abusing these items locally, though it’s not widespread.

“Rather than being reactive, we’d like to be proactive,” said Piatt County Board member Michael Beem.

Beem said he worked with Kirkman, the mayor, police department and attorneys to work out.

“It’s illegal in Alton and Jerseyville and several other places here in Illinois. And we just sort of looked at what best fit our community,” Beem said.

But certain voices in the meeting said they want the council to take a second look at the legislation. Several people attended the meeting virtually from in and out of state. They said that natural kratom has helped them with pain management and is different than the synthetic version. Advocates wanted to see a distinction added between the two.

But in the end, the ordinance passed seven to one as written — banning both.

Beem said he’d eventually like to see this ordinance cover all of Piatt County.

“Hopefully, it prevents the misuse of these substances,” he added.