Marijuana In Illinois
Introducing Your Guide to Marijuana in Illinois
As of Jan. 1, it’s legal to buy and smoke recreational marijuana in Illinois – whether you like it or not. What you need to know about the new era of pot policy in 2020.
Pritzker Signs Bill Banning Sale of Intoxicating Hemp to Anyone Younger Than 21
| Heather Cherone
The new law will close a “loophole” that contributed to children, teens and young adults ingesting misleading or poorly labeled products, Gov. JB… Read More
Trump Reclassifies State-Licensed Medical Marijuana as a Less-Dangerous Drug in a Historic Shift
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump’s acting attorney general on Thursday signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous… Read More
7 Years After Legalization, Final Cannabis Licensing Lawsuit Goes to Court
| Hannah Meisel …
After years of litigation, the state of Illinois faces one final lawsuit over how it rolled out licenses to “social equity applicants” under the 2019…... Read more
Mayor Vetoes Ban on Sale of Most Intoxicating Hemp Products in Chicago
| Heather Cherone
Mayor Brandon Johnson said the ban was too broad and punished “many of our small businesses who have been following the law and deserve to have a…... Read more
Even Though Marijuana is Legal in Illinois, Clearing Old Criminal Records Still a Challenge
| Medill Illinoi…
Legal experts say the newly enacted Clean Slate Act may help reduce gaps in record-clearing, and federal marijuana reclassification could spur…... Read more
5 Things to Know
You’ll have to be 21 years old to legally buy and use marijuana.
All marijuana sold in dispensaries across the state will be grown in Illinois (in one of the state’s licensed “cultivation centers”).
Want to grow your own? Only state-registered medical marijuana patients can do that. (The limit’s five per household.)
Medical marijuana patients also get first dibs on cannabis if supplies run short (and in the beginning, they may).
You won’t be allowed to smoke, vape or consume marijuana or pot products in public. That includes bars and restaurants.
Watch
Why Marijuana is a Messy Business for Banks
In Massachusetts, Concern Over Upscale Nature of Legal Pot
The Growing Business of Cannabis in San Diego
How the Legalization Debate is Playing Out Across the US
Illinois Dispensaries
Right now, there are 55 pot shops in Illinois catering to medical marijuana users. (The state calls them “cannabis dispensaries.”) Each of these shops is allowed to open a second location to sell recreational marijuana, so that number will only grow. Use our map to see which shops are open, and where they’re located.
Related Stories
City Council Votes 32-16 to Ban Sale of Most Intoxicating Hemp Products in Chicago, With Some Exemptions
The proposal immediately bans the sale of intoxicating hemp products to those younger than 21, while exempting the sale of beverages, topical creams and pet products with intoxicating hemp from the larger ban set to take effect April 1.
Chicago Police Board Votes to Fire Officer Who Tested Positive for Marijuana
Officer Elmer Carrillo Jr. is the first CPD officer to be terminated for failing a drug test since Illinois legalized the recreational use of marijuana, and is the first to be fired by the Police Board in nearly a year and a half amid a protracted legal battle, records show.
Chicago Small Business Owners Oppose Ban on Intoxicating Hemp, But Support Regulation
A group of alderpeople led by 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn is pushing an ordinance to ban the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products in Chicago.