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.

Planet 13 will keep the former bank building's drive-through stations in the event Illinois allows curbside service at the state's cannabis dispensaries in the future.

Work has begun as Waukegan cannabis dispensaries prepare to open in the near future; ‘We will see the overall market expand’

By Steve Sadin

February 15, 2023 at 10:17 a.m.

A storefront and a onetime bank building a half-mile apart on opposite sides of the...

Electrician Taras Duckthak crosses the floor at the Okay Cannabis dispensary on Feb. 1, 2023, in Wheeling.

First cannabis store with a bar and a bakery under the same roof opens in Illinois

By Robert McCoppin

February 2, 2023 at 9:43 a.m.

The first store in Illinois to combine marijuana and alcohol sales opened Wednesday in Wheeling,...

CBD wax is displayed at a shop in Sunset Hills, Mo.

FDA declines to regulate CBD

By Associated Press

January 26, 2023 at 1:26 p.m.

The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday there are too many unknowns about CBD products...

Edible cannabis candies at a facility in 2018.

‘Alarming’ jump in kids eating marijuana edibles prompts warning for adults to keep gummies away from kids

By Robert McCoppin

January 23, 2023 at 2:31 p.m.

Medical workers in Illinois are warning adults to keep marijuana edibles away from kids, after...

Ivy hall, a majority Black-owned dispensary, opened for cannabis sales in Chicago this year. Ivy Hall is the state's first operating social equity cannabis dispensary.

Marijuana sales in Illinois hit a record $1.5 billion in 2022, despite a recent slowdown

By Robert McCoppin

January 6, 2023 at 3:26 p.m.

Illinois saw record recreational cannabis sales of $1.55 billion in 2022, a jump of 12%...

Essence Indica sits on the shelf at Ivy Hall.

Rough 2022 for Illinois marijuana industry leads to higher hopes for the new year

By Robert McCoppin

January 1, 2023 at 9:52 a.m.

In many ways, 2022 was a wild year for cannabis in Illinois — long-running court...

Nigel Dandridge, co-founder and chief strategy officer for Ivy Hall, receives applause during the grand opening of the majority Black-owned dispensary in Wicker Park on Nov. 14, 2022. Ivy Hall is the state's first operating social equity cannabis dispensary.

Photos: Ivy Hall, a majority Black-owned dispensary in Wicker Park

By Antonio Perez

December 30, 2022 at 1:53 p.m.

Ivy Hall, a boutique dispensary in Wicker Park, is meant to be a cozier alternative...

A cannabis-themed mural by artist Olusola "Shala" Akintunde on display, April 4, 2022, outside Sports World in Wrigleyville.

New Cannabis Research Institute will study the effects of marijuana and how best to manage it

By Robert McCoppin

December 16, 2022 at 5:00 a.m.

A new cannabis research center in Chicago will explore the effects of the plant and...

Second cannabis craft growing company wins Elgin OK to open an operation on city’s west side

By Gloria Casas

December 11, 2022 at 8:46 a.m.

Grand Legacy Group received a warm welcome from the Elgin City Council this week after...

Marijuana plants for the adult recreational market are seen hanging in a drying room at a farm in Suffolk County, New York. The Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday will consider a special use permit for a proposed second marijuana dispensary in the village.

Another marijuana dispensary seeks to locate in Oswego

By Linda Girardi

November 27, 2022 at 9:10 a.m.

The Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday will consider a special use permit for a...