recreational marijuana

As marijuana legalization spreads across U.S. states, so does a debate over whether to set pot policy by potency.

Illinois pot shops reported sales of $109 million of recreational weed in March, shattering a record set earlier this year.

Since Illinois launched recreational marijuana sales a year ago Friday, the amount of dispensaries across the state have nearly doubled. When legal recreational marijuana sales began on Jan 1, 2020, there were 43 dispensaries across the state, now there are 78, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Through November, total recreational marijuana sales in Illinois reached…

Demand for marijuana products in U.S. states where they are legal in some form has been resilient this year, despite the pandemic. In California and other states that account for most of the retail sales of marijuana for recreational use, sales are up 8.5% from a year ago, according to data from industry tracker Headset. Charlie Bachtell, CEO and co-founder…

Mainers are getting their first opportunity to legally buy marijuana for adult recreational use, but a supply shortage is a potential buzzkill. Retailers blame the pandemic and a limited number of licensed manufacturers for reducing the variety of products available on Friday, the opening day. Licenses were issued only a month ago. That didn’t dampen Matt Bourgeois’ enthusiasm for...

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.

You’ll definitely want your sunglasses on for this one. Illinois’ largest marijuana dispensary, which just opened up in suburban Skokie Thursday, has launched a “Blues Brothers”-themed strain called “Blues Brothers Bubba Diagonal.” The strain is described as having a “relaxed, euphoric” effect and can help you sleep, according to its description., which also lists its flavors as “skunk, spicy,...

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.

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.

The legal sale of marijuana during Illinois’ first full month of lockdown due to the coronavirus surpassed sales in two previous months, state officials announced Monday.

As most of Illinois stays at home to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, cannabis dispensaries remain open in Illinois because the industry is considered essential. NBC 5’s Chris Coffey has the story.

The Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals is expected to look at applications for potential new dispensaries to sell recreational weed, according to Block Club Chicago.

NBC 5 Investigates spent months unpacking information about the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis and is unleashing that research in a new podcast

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

Recreational marijuana will be legal in Illinois within weeks, but legal experts on Wednesday urged immigrants to exercise caution as marijuana use or cannabis-related jobs could mean repercussions including deportation.

NBC 5 Investigates spent months unpacking information about the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis and is unleashing that research in a new podcast. Phil Rogers reports.

NBC 5 brought a panel of cannabis experts together Friday to answer viewers’ questions ahead of the Jan. 1 legalization date for recreational marijuana.