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.

Marijuana is consumed at Waldos Forever Fest, a celebration of marijuana culture on April 20, 2019, in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago.

Celebrations marking 420 — marijuana’s ‘high holiday’ — will stay low-key due to COVID-19 and include focus on social equity in the industry

By Robert McCoppin

April 19, 2021 at 3:59 p.m.

The owners of a Chicago art gallery will be celebrating 420 this year — the...

Tyrone F. Muhammad, executive director of Ex-Cons for Community and Social Change, left, speaks with local resident Keith Fort on April 12, 2021, in front of Sunnyside marijuana dispensary in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. Muhammad and others hosted a demonstration against big-money dispensaries muscling out would-be minority owners.

Legal weed’s first year in Chicago: High arrest rates for Black people, a boutique experience for others

By William Lee

April 16, 2021 at 3:23 p.m.

Marijuana legalization has been a boyhood dream come true for Keith Fort, a recently retired...

Kane County to allow recreational marijuana businesses to open in unincorporated areas

By Megan Jones

April 15, 2021 at 6:49 a.m.

The Kane County Board on Tuesday voted to allow recreational-use marijuana businesses to open in...

T-shirts are for sale along Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach on April 7, 2021. Virginia lawmakers passed a proposal from Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam to legalize marijuana this summer instead of 2024.

Marijuana will be legal in Virginia on July 1, years earlier than planned

By Ana Ley

April 8, 2021 at 7:22 a.m.

Virginia lawmakers agreed Wednesday to a proposal from Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam to legalize marijuana...

A customer pays for a recreational marijuana order with cash on Jan. 1, 2020, at Sunnyside Lakeview.

Recreational marijuana sales in Illinois smash record in March — $109 million

By Robert McCoppin

April 2, 2021 at 7:33 p.m.

Illinois set a record with $109 million in sales of recreational marijuana in March —...

Customers line up at Windy City Cannabis in Homewood on Jan. 1, 2020.

Chewing gum billionaire William ‘Beau’ Wrigley returns to Chicago business roots with Windy City Cannabis purchase

By Robert Channick

April 1, 2021 at 3:59 p.m.

Billionaire chewing gum heir William "Beau" Wrigley Jr. is returning to his Chicago business roots,...

New York reaches deal to legalize recreational marijuana after several failed attempts

By The New York Times

March 25, 2021 at 4:06 p.m.

New York state officials finalized a deal Thursday to legalize recreational marijuana in the state,...

The MedMen marijuana dispensary in Evanston on Jan. 1, 2020.

MedMen marijuana dispensary awarded license to open in Morton Grove

By Jennifer Johnson

April 6, 2021 at 9:25 a.m.

A company operating marijuana dispensaries in Evanston and Oak Park has been awarded a state...

The Greenhouse cannabis dispensary in Skokie is seen Aug. 13, 2020.

New weed player in Illinois, Curaleaf gets state approval to take over nine Greenhouse and Windy City dispensaries

By Robert Channick

March 19, 2021 at 3:47 p.m.

There is a major new player in the Illinois weed industry. Nearly eight months after...

Mason Fuchs and Brooke Hansey check out the offerings at the Euflora 3D Cannabis Center, a recreational dispensary in Denver.

New cannabis stores, marijuana tours, and protecting pets from pot on Illinois legislative agenda, but social equity remains a big issue

By Jenny Whidden

March 15, 2021 at 7:03 p.m.

Plans to create 150 new marijuana stores, allow cannabis tours and make it a crime...