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.

A worker trims marijuana flowers at a cannabis cultivation center in Delavan, Illinois, in 2019. Medthos LLC recently applied for a special permit to operate a cannabis craft growing facility in Northbrook.

Third time’s the charm? Northbrook Village Board gives early nod to new marijuana grower application

By Kaitlin Edquist

March 16, 2021 at 7:30 a.m.

The Northbrook Village Board recently granted preliminary approval for a craft cannabis grower to come...

Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, center, speaks Feb. 24, 2021, with workers Jake Lytle, second from right, and Melina Gutierrez, at right, in support of their unionization effort, outside Windy City Cannabis on Weed Street in Chicago. Workers are organizing to be represented by Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers.

Unions fight to get weed workers ‘involved in the prosperity’ as Illinois marijuana sales soar

By Robert Channick

March 8, 2021 at 10:06 a.m.

The Illinois weed industry, fresh off surpassing $1 billion in revenue during its first year...

Budtenders help a customer at MOCA River North dispensary on Aug. 25, 2020.

Illinois marijuana sales reach $232 million through February, putting 2021 on pace to shatter last year’s $1B mark

By Robert Channick

March 4, 2021 at 2:55 p.m.

The second year of recreational marijuana sales in Illinois is off to a fast start....

People enter Zen Leaf, a recreational marijuana dispensary, on Feb. 16, 2021, in Prospect Heights.

Owner of Zen Leaf marijuana shops soars on first day of trading, boosting Chicago’s role as corporate weed capital of U.S.

By Robert Channick

February 17, 2021 at 3:48 p.m.

Verano Holdings began trading Wednesday on the Canadian Securities Exchange, becoming the third Chicago weed...

The Uptown Park Ridge sign sits at Touhy and Prospect Avenues in Park Ridge. Park Ridge City Council members voted to allow a cannabis dispensary to open in Uptown, the city's central business district. (Pioneer Press)

Park Ridge City Council agrees to prohibit marijuana dispensaries in parts of Uptown, limit number citywide

By Jennifer Johnson

February 3, 2021 at 6:59 p.m.

Recreational marijuana dispensaries will be unable to open within a large portion of Park Ridge's...

A customer pays for an order with cash on the first day of recreational marijuana sales Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020 at Sunnyside Lakeview in Chicago.

Fate of recreational marijuana sales in Wilmette up for debate this week

By Karen Ann Cullotta

February 3, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

The fate of recreational marijuana sales in Wilmette will be up for debate at a...

Will County to distribute $1 million in state marijuana tax money, begin discussions on use of county’s revenue

By Alicia Fabbre

January 26, 2021 at 6:15 p.m.

Will County will receive just over $1 million from a state grant program created with...

Marijuana plants grow in a room at Cresco Labs in Joliet on Dec. 17, 2019.

Illinois awards $31 million in grants funded by pot taxes for violence prevention, reentry and development in areas hurt by the war on drugs

By Robert McCoppin

January 22, 2021 at 4:34 p.m.

Illinois officials are distributing $31.5 million in grants generated by legal marijuana sales that are...

Park Ridge inches closer to allowing recreational marijuana dispensaries; final vote expected Feb. 1

By Jennifer Johnson

January 20, 2021 at 4:09 p.m.

Recreational marijuana dispensaries are another step closer to being allowed within the city limits of...

Illinois Sen. Heather Steans is sworn in during a socially distanced inauguration of the new Illinois Senate for the 102nd General Assembly on Jan. 13, 2021, at the Capitol in Springfield.

Illinois sitting on $62 million in cannabis revenue meant to foster businesses and help neighborhoods hurt by poverty and violence

By Robert McCoppin

January 16, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

Despite promises that cannabis legalization in Illinois would fund more minority business participation and neighborhood...