Excise division gains staff to enforce new THC and gambling-device rules

Commissioner Miles presented the excise division’s FY27 request and told the committee the office’s core mission is licensing and monitoring liquor establishments under local ordinance; the division enforces compliance through routine inspections, hearings and collaboration with building, law and enforcement partners.

Miles said recent ordinances banning illegal gambling devices and clarifying THC‑infused product sales have increased the division’s workload. "The essential function of the office is to license liquor establishments under rules established by the board of alderman and approved by the mayor," Miles said, and added that the committee granted the division one additional position (the initial request was for two) to help handle the new enforcement responsibilities.

Miles thanked aldermen for support and said the unit continues to adapt to new responsibilities, including coordination with the building division for condemnations and with the city counselor’s office for legal guidance; the division noted that recent state action clarified that only licensed marijuana dispensaries should sell THC‑infused products.

Committee members expressed support for the small excise staff and noted the workload increase tied to the new ordinances.