Cannabis in Illinois

Dispensary Not Selling Flower to Recreational Users Due to ‘Statewide Shortage'

The store's management said the decision was made to protect medical patients, but recreational users could still purchase edible products at the dispensary

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People lined up for hours at the start of 2020 to be among the first to purchase cannabis from dispensaries in Illinois as recreational marijuana was officially legalized in the new year.

A Chicago dispensary decided against selling cannabis flowers on the first day of legal sales for recreational users, saying it needed to protect patients from a "statewide shortage."

The Herbal Care Center at 1301 S. Western Ave. posted a notice to its website Wednesday saying it was "unable to sell flower to recreational users at this time."

The store's management said the decision was made to protect their thousands of medical patients, but recreational users could still purchase edible products at the dispensary.

Jackie Ryan was the first person to make a purchase as doors opened at the Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary on Chicago’s North Side.

People lined up for hours at the start of 2020 to be among the first to purchase cannabis from dispensaries across Illinois as recreational marijuana was officially legalized in the new year.

The first dispensaries opened at 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day with hundreds gathered in both Chicago and its suburbs for the history-making first sales.

Illinois officially became the 11th state to legalize recreational cannabis.

Some dispensaries used paging systems similar to restaurants, others partnered with local restaurants to offer a warm place to wait before making a purchase. In Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, a coffee pop-up sprouted outside with a movie marathon and cannabis-themed trivia.

Purchases are restricted to anyone 21 and older with a government-issued ID. Non-Illinois residents won’t be able to buy as much as residents and all purchases must be made in cash.

A Weed Maps truck sits near the Cresco Labs Sunnyside* Lakeview dispensary as recreational marijuana sales begin in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Illinois’ legalization of recreational pot is likely to be the industry’s “most significant fundamental catalyst” in 2020 and Cresco Labs Inc. and Green Thumb Industries Inc. will benefit the most, according to investment firm Compass Point. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
People wait in line to purchase recreational marijuana outside the Cresco Labs Sunnyside* Lakeview dispensary in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Illinois’ legalization of recreational pot is likely to be the industry’s “most significant fundamental catalyst” in 2020 and Cresco Labs Inc. and Green Thumb Industries Inc. will benefit the most, according to investment firm Compass Point. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
First costumer Jackie Ryan makes a purchase at Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary on January 1, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. – On the first day of 2020, recreational marijuana became legal in Illinois, which joins 10 other US states with legal use of recreational marijuana. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
An employee holds bottles of recreational marijuana as she talks with a customer at Cresco Labs Sunnyside* Lakeview dispensary in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Illinois’ legalization of recreational pot is likely to be the industry’s “most significant fundamental catalyst” in 2020 and Cresco Labs Inc. and Green Thumb Industries Inc. will benefit the most, according to investment firm Compass Point. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
An employee secures a bag of recreational marijuana products following the first purchase at Cresco Labs Sunnyside* Lakeview dispensary in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Illinois’ legalization of recreational pot is likely to be the industry’s “most significant fundamental catalyst” in 2020 and Cresco Labs Inc. and Green Thumb Industries Inc. will benefit the most, according to investment firm Compass Point. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A sign stands near the counter ahead of the first recreational marijuana sales inside Cresco Labs Sunnyside* Lakeview dispensary in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Illinois’ legalization of recreational pot is likely to be the industry’s “most significant fundamental catalyst” in 2020 and Cresco Labs Inc. and Green Thumb Industries Inc. will benefit the most, according to investment firm Compass Point. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
An employee retrieves recreational marijuana products from a secure cabinet at the Cresco Labs Sunnyside* Lakeview dispensary in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Illinois’ legalization of recreational pot is likely to be the industry’s “most significant fundamental catalyst” in 2020 and Cresco Labs Inc. and Green Thumb Industries Inc. will benefit the most, according to investment firm Compass Point. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Customers wait in line outside Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary to purchase recreational marijuana on January 1, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. – On the first day of 2020, recreational marijuana became legal in Illinois, which joins 10 other US states with legal use of recreational marijuana. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
People wait in line to purchase recreational marijuana outside the Cresco Labs Sunnyside* Lakeview dispensary in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Illinois’ legalization of recreational pot is likely to be the industry’s “most significant fundamental catalyst” in 2020 and Cresco Labs Inc. and Green Thumb Industries Inc. will benefit the most, according to investment firm Compass Point. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Customer Elise Swopes makes a purchase at Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary on January 1, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. – On the first day of 2020, recreational marijuana became legal in Illinois, which joins 10 other US states with legal use of recreational marijuana. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Lieutenant Governor of Illinois Juliana Stratton smiles after making a purchase at Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary on January 1, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. – On the first day of 2020, recreational marijuana became legal in Illinois, which joins 10 other US states with legal use of recreational marijuana. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
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