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.

Anna Rose Li-Epstein holds a sign on March 29, 2022, during a rally outside the Thompson Center by the group True Social Equity in Cannabis demanding broader decriminalization of marijuana in Illinois with no lottery or caps on business licenses.

Lawsuit alleges ‘cartel’ colludes to keep cannabis prices high in Illinois. Industry members say there’s no evidence for the allegations.

By Robert McCoppin

April 19, 2022 at 8:42 p.m.

A federal lawsuit accuses cannabis companies of running a "Chicago cartel" that colludes to keep...

Itzel Gomez sits on an oversized char at Waldos Forever Fest, a celebration of marijuana culture, on April 20, 2019, in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago.

420 brings biggest week of marijuana celebrations to Chicago and suburbs — while new businesses remain in limbo

By Robert McCoppin

April 15, 2022 at 4:45 p.m.

Because it is the first year since marijuana legalization without COVID-19 restrictions, upcoming April 20...

Flowering cannabis plants are illuminated by artificial lighting at Prescribd, a cannabis cultivation company, at one of its cultivation centers on July 17, 2021, in Bridgeview.

Court ruling clears way for 60 new craft cannabis grower licenses in Illinois

By Robert McCoppin

March 17, 2022 at 2:25 p.m.

Illinois has won a court order to award 60 new craft cannabis growing licenses, allowing...

Marijuana plants grow under lights at Cresco Labs medical marijuana cultivation facility on Aug. 8, 2018, in Joliet.

Illinois to simplify applications for recreational marijuana store licenses

By Robert McCoppin

March 16, 2022 at 12:30 p.m.

License applications for recreational marijuana retail stores will be greatly simplified in hopes of increasing...

A festivalgoer smokes marijuana at Lollapalooza on July 29, 2021, at Grant Park in Chicago. The Illinois House approved a bill that prohibits firing workers for trace amounts of marijuana in their systems, but employers remain very leery about it.

Proposal to protect workers from getting fired for off-the-job marijuana use advances with state lawmakers

By Robert McCoppin

March 14, 2022 at 5:00 a.m.

A proposal to prohibit firing workers for trace amounts of marijuana in their systems moved...

A recreational marijuana dispensary is proposed for a former restaurant at 16200 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park.

Southland marijuana outlets planned, but timing of licenses an issue

By Mike Nolan

February 7, 2022 at 10:10 a.m.

While new recreational marijuana dispensaries are planned in the Southland, how soon they might open...

Marijuana plants on Nov. 11, 2021. The cannabis industry has ramped up to meet demand in Illinois.

Illinois Supreme Court denies request to let state name craft cannabis license winners. Applicants say ongoing litigation affecting their finances.

By Robert McCoppin

January 29, 2022 at 11:21 a.m.

The Illinois Supreme Court has denied a request to let the state name new craft...

Marijuana edibles spurring rise in pot-related overdose calls to Illinois Poison Center — but number is lower than for other legal drugs

By Robert McCoppin

January 20, 2022 at 12:00 a.m.

Marijuana edibles are becoming increasingly popular, but doctors warn the substances are prone to accidental...

Flowering cannabis plants are illuminated by artificial lighting at a tour called "Chitiva," given by workers at Prescribd, a cannabis cultivation company, at one of its cultivation centers Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Bridgeview. The interactive tour shows the start-to-finish process of growing cannabis. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Cannabis company asks Illinois Supreme Court to let state name craft grower license winners. Motion reveals financial toll applicants say they’ve endured.

By Robert McCoppin

January 7, 2022 at 9:17 a.m.

A cannabis company has asked the Illinois Supreme Court to let the state name the...

A shopper makes a purchase Dec. 24 at the Sunnyside cannabis store at 2740 W. 75th St. in Naperville. If estimates from the mayor are correct, the city will collect about $1.7 million in sales tax revenue from pot sales in 2021.

Naperville mayor estimates city will collect $1.7 million in sales tax from booming marijuana market

By Suzanne Baker

January 5, 2022 at 10:17 a.m.

Naperville marijuana shops generated roughly $1.7 million in sales tax revenue for the city in...