Cannabis in Illinois

The stage is set for a decisive legal battle in Illinois’ highest court between a large, well-established company and a far smaller upstart over a cannabis-growing license potentially worth millions.

Thousands of people in Illinois convicted of low-level marijuana charges are starting the new year with clean records after Gov. J

Illinois officials announced Thursday that nearly half a million cannabis arrest records have been expunged by state police.

Cannabis is having a great first year in Illinois. Starting from zero when the first recreational dispensaries opened in Illinois last January, the industry has enjoyed sales of over $500 million. And, despite the pandemic, revenues have increased nearly every month. “It’s doing great,” says Cory Rothschild, senior vice president of marketing for Cresco Labs. “There is no question that…

The state of Illinois has made millions in one year after the legalization of recreational marijuana. But could booming sales be even better? NBC 5’s Phil Rogers reports.

Gov. J. B. Pritzker’s interpretation of Illinois’ marijuana legalization law is costing the state more than $100 million in tax revenue by blocking certain pot shops from relocating, some state lawmakers and cannabis industry advocates say. Cannabis sales have remained consistent despite the coronavirus pandemic, but a memo created by industry advocates and recently shared with lawmakers says the state…

The city of Oakbrook Terrace welcomed the opening of a new high-tech marijuana dispensary that offers an interactive experience for customers. NBC 5’s Christian Farr reports.

Recreational marijuana sales are underway in one of Chicago’s biggest suburbs. NBC 5’s Chris Coffey reports

After weeks of protests and claims that Illinois’ process for recreational marijuana licenses is unfair, Gov. JB Pritzker announced the process is changing. NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern reports.

Illinois tweaked how business owners seeking recreational marijuana licenses can apply following complaints that the process favored politically connected and rich applicants over minorities and veterans who were supposed to benefit.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to discuss Tuesday how the state plans to ensure fairness when it comes to who gets adult-use cannabis dispensary licenses in the state.

As Gov. J.B. Pritzker appeared at a news conference Friday to announce investments to expand job opportunities in Chicago, a group of protesters showed up, demanding changes to the state’s cannabis lottery process. “The lottery is a game of chance,” said Rickey Hendon, a former Illinois State Senator who led the protest. “We ain’t playing no games, and we...

As Gov. J.B. Pritzker appeared at a news conference Friday to announce investments to expand job opportunities in Chicago, a group of protesters showed up, demanding changes to the state’s cannabis lottery process. NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern reports.

Two companies that were rejected for Illinois marijuana licenses have filed a lawsuit to delay the state from awarding licenses to the winning applicants. The state announced that only 21 of 700 applicants would proceed to a lottery for 75 licenses. Southshore Restore and Heartland Greens did not make the cut and are suing the state’s Department of Financial and…

The Greenhouse marijuana dispensary in Skokie, currently the largest pot store in Illinois, opened Thursday in a redesigned bank. NBC 5’s Kye Martin reports.

Perhaps it is a testimonial to the now-mainstream nature of cannabis in Illinois, that the latest dispensary in Chicago is just a stone’s throw from the Ohio street exit ramp into downtown. Oh, and there’s free parking. “You get off at Ohio street and there’s this big dispensary saying, ‘now open,’” said MOCA’s principal officer Doug Marks. “That shows...

A second cannabis dispensary has opened in downtown Chicago and is just a stone’s throw from the Ohio street exit ramp into downtown. NBC 5’s Phil Rogers reports

After more than a year of debate, the Naperville City Council has voted to allow recreational marijuana sales in Illinois’ third-largest city. The vote, which came down as six council members for and three against, finally puts an end to a debate that has been going on ever since the state approved recreational marijuana sales in 2019. “Everyone who is…

After more than a year of debate, the Naperville City Council has voted to allow recreational marijuana sales in Illinois’ third-largest city. NBC 5’s Alex Maragos has the story.