Marijuana In Illinois

Marijuana in a jar

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.

Illinois Supreme Court to Determine If Cannabis Odor is Cause for Vehicle Search

Jan 10, 2024 | Dilpreet Raju — Capitol News Illinois

(Credit: Elsa Olofsson / Pixabay)

The court heard two consolidated cases of individuals who were in vehicles that were searched after an officer used the smell of cannabis as... Read More

Paper Restrictions at Cook County Jail Signal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Concerns

Nov 7, 2023 | DePaul’s Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence

Jail personnel go through stacks of letters and books in the mail room at Cook County Jail on Oct. 12. All mail coming into the jail has faced greater screening methods since the paper restriction began in April. (Cary Robbins / DePaul)

Since the beginning of 2023, Cook County Jail administration has reported 16 deaths in custody, with five attributed to overdoses, according to... 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

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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.