Marijuana

Nicholas Hohns shows off a tray of strawberry-lemon CBD gummies at his Deutermann Farms kitchen in Clayton, N.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

A $28B hemp THC industry is fighting to save itself from a looming federal ban

By Gene Johnson

October 3, 2026 at 5:15 p.m.

The ban “threatens to reduce retail revenues by $28.3 billion, displacing 225,000 jobs and reducing...

A pedestrian crosses East Ontario Street at North Fairbanks Court in Chicago in 2018. The building at left contains 620 N. Fairbanks Ct., where cannabis store Guaranteed Dispensary opened late in 2025. (Jośe M. Osorio/baiduhai)

Judge upholds permit for controversial cannabis shop in Streeterville

By Robert McCoppin

September 10, 2026 at 4:20 p.m.

A judge upheld Chicago's permit for a controversial cannabis store in Streeterville, despite new evidence...

A Chicago resident shows a marijuana plant growing outdoors at her home garden on Aug. 19, 2026. The resident, who has a medical cannabis card, is currently growing four plants in her backyard to cultivate for personal use. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Illinois regulators propose allowing licensed cannabis producers to grow outdoors

By Robert McCoppin

August 20, 2026 at 6:10 p.m.

In a major reversal, Illinois regulators have proposed letting cannabis companies grow cannabis outdoors.

Cannabis product on a shelf at the majority Black-owned Ivy Hall dispensary on Nov. 14, 2022. Ivy Hall is the state's first operating social equity cannabis dispensary.

Cannabis advocates ask for changes in state law to provide protections for patients, business owners and motorists

By Robert McCoppin

May 9, 2023 at 6:54 p.m.

Advocates called Tuesday for changes to help medical cannabis patients and to broaden opportunities in...

Edie Moore, an executive director of Chicago NORML, is at the State Capitol in Springfield in 2019.

Cannabis operators big and small argue over who should oversee the industry in Illinois

By Robert McCoppin

May 9, 2023 at 6:36 p.m.

A battle over legal cannabis oversight in Illinois pits startup social equity business owners against...

Detroit man who had marijuana vending machine pleads guilty to gun crime

By Associated Press

May 3, 2023 at 12:23 p.m.

A Detroit man who told investigators that he was making $2,000 a day selling marijuana from...

The former head of a Michigan marijuana licensing board Rick Johnson, left, walks with his attorney Nick Dondzila, outside federal court on April 25, 2023, in Grand Rapids.

Former head of Michigan marijuana panel pleads guilty to bribery

By Associated Press

April 25, 2023 at 12:14 p.m.

The former head of a Michigan marijuana licensing board pleaded guilty to bribery Tuesday, acknowledging...

Ryan McBride, of a company called Sesh, rolls cannabis joints in his lounge bus outside a Verilife cannabis dispensary on West Superior Street, July 28, 2022, in Chicago. Customers were invited to lounge in the cannabis-focused bus before getting a ride in a shuttle bus to attend the Lollapalooza music festival.

As cannabis customers celebrate 420, consumption becomes more common at sponsored events

By Robert McCoppin

April 19, 2023 at 6:55 p.m.

One crucial new element will be added Thursday in Chicago to public celebrations of 420,...

Rise dispensary employees Heather Alvarado, left, and Reilly Drew picket outside their workplace on April 19, 2023, in Niles. Employees at three Rise locations, including two in Joliet, went on an open-ended unfair labor practice strike to demand better wages and retirement contributions.

Teamsters plan to strike at three Rise cannabis stores on the eve of 4/20 pot festivities

By Robert McCoppin

April 21, 2023 at 12:54 p.m.

The Teamsters plan to strike at three marijuana retail shops in the Chicago region on...

Rick Johnson chairs the committee as it meets before a capacity crowd in Lansing, Mich., June 26, 2017, at the first open meeting of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Board.

Former head of Michigan marijuana board admits he took bribes

By Associated Press

April 6, 2023 at 12:20 p.m.

The former head of a Michigan medical marijuana licensing board has agreed to plead guilty...

Customers are greeted by this wall displaying scores of products shortly after they enter the Ivy Hall cannabis dispensary in Waukegan.

Waukegan’s first cannabis dispensary opens: ‘You get a great vibe when you come here’

By Steve Sadin

March 28, 2023 at 12:42 p.m.

Walking into Ivy Hall — Waukegan's first cannabis dispensary — after clearing security, a potential...

Cannect Wellness co-founder and COO David Michaud, right, and head of cultivation Jake Heller inspect construction on their craft cannabis growing facility in Franklin Park on Jan. 25, 2023.

Craft marijuana grower to open in Franklin Park after raising $7.5 million by selling ownership shares

By Robert McCoppin

March 21, 2023 at 4:58 p.m.

A craft cannabis grower startup in Franklin Park is a virtual unicorn in Illinois. While...

Sya Collins prepares an order at Starbuds Dispensary on March 15, 2023, in University City, Missouri.

New customer-friendly legal recreational cannabis in Missouri cuts into Illinois’ market

By Robert McCoppin

March 20, 2023 at 10:48 a.m.

Illinois had a three-year head start on legalizing recreational marijuana, but in many ways, Missouri...