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.

Illinois announces winners of 55 marijuana store licenses — but judge delays awarding them amid lawsuit challenging process

By Robert McCoppin

July 30, 2021 at 9:52 a.m.

After more than a year of waiting, Ambrose Jackson learned Thursday that his team was...

Paul Melone, left, helps customer Brandon Nguyen, 27, at the Sunnyside dispensary in the River North neighborhood on July 28, 2021.

Closest marijuana shop to Lollapalooza

By Contributed Content

August 4, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.

The Sunnyside dispensary on North Clark Street in River North is the closest marijuana shop...

An employee counts cash used to purchase recreational marijuana at Rise Mundelein Jan. 1, 2020, on the first day of sales in Illinois.

626 groups now qualify for upcoming lottery to win marijuana store licenses in Illinois after applications are rescored

By Robert McCoppin

July 28, 2021 at 9:09 p.m.

The number of applicants qualified for the upcoming lottery for new marijuana store licenses in...

Lawsuit that challenged marijuana licensing process in Illinois is dropped, clearing way for lottery

By Robert McCoppin

July 27, 2021 at 8:33 p.m.

A Michigan company Tuesday dropped its lawsuit challenging Illinois' plans for authorizing new marijuana businesses,...

Growing my first pot plant was easy — until it was time to smoke it

By Adam Tschorn

July 27, 2021 at 11:04 a.m.

LOS ANGELES — For almost as long as I've known about the cannabis plant, I've...

Charles Wu of Prescribd, a cannabis cultivation company, gives a tour at one of its cultivation centers.

Wide availability of delta-8-THC — ‘weed light’ — is prompting struggle over how to regulate it

By Robert McCoppin

July 23, 2021 at 11:15 a.m.

In a warehouse outside Chicago, a crop of hemp grows to produce a controversial substance...

Tim Tuff of Prescribd, a cannabis cultivation company, shows Oscar Navarro, right, the correct angle to cut a flowering cannabis plant.

People tour one of Prescribd’s cannabis cultivation centers

By Contributed Content

July 22, 2021 at 9:28 p.m.

People go on a tour given by workers at Prescribd, a cannabis cultivation company, at...

A worker tends to marijuana plants in growing room at Cresco Labs in Joliet in 2019.

Lawsuit by Michigan-based company seeks to stop lotteries for new Illinois marijuana store licenses

By Robert McCoppin

July 20, 2021 at 5:39 p.m.

A Michigan-based cannabis company has filed suit challenging Illinois' new law to award 185 long-awaited...

Updated Guide To Cannabis Laws Around The World.

The 2021 guide to cannabis laws around the world

By Fresh Toast

July 15, 2021 at 11:19 a.m.

Cannabis is decriminalized and allowed for medical use in several regions of North America, Africa,...

Small town in southern Illinois opens smoking lounge exclusively for marijuana users

By Robert McCoppin

July 9, 2021 at 4:11 p.m.

Cannabis smokers in downstate Illinois will be able to legally light up in public Saturday...