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.

CANNABIDIOL CANNOT TECHNICALLY BE INCLUDED IN FOODS OR DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS | Due to ongoing studies, CBD cannot be legally included in foods or dietary supplements. Still, CBD-infused dishes continue to be a food trend and CBD products labeled "dietary supplement" are available on the market. In response, the FDA has sent warnings to several companies, and some local governments, like New York City, are cracking down too. Conversely, other states, like Maine, have passed or are in the process of passing laws allowing for the sale of edible CBD products.

Oregon wildfires destroyed at least seven marijuana businesses: ‘confirmed total loss’

By Mike Rogoway

September 23, 2020 at 11:55 a.m.

The sudden wildfires that torched more than 1 million acres across Oregon this month completely...

Gov. J.B. Pritzker discusses fairness in the conditional adult-use cannabis dispensary licensing process during a news conference at the Thompson Center on Sept. 22, 2020.

Pritzker says new retail marijuana licenses should be awarded in the fall, but admits process has been ‘far from perfect’

By Robert McCoppin

September 22, 2020 at 5:16 p.m.

Recreational marijuana retail licenses should be awarded in Illinois this fall, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said...

Gov. J.B. Pritzker discusses fairness in the conditional adult-use cannabis dispensary licensing process during a press conference at the James R. Thompson Center on Sept. 22, 2020.

Illinois marijuana dispensary applicants drop lawsuit in the wake of 2nd chance for lottery

By Robert Channick

September 22, 2020 at 4:43 p.m.

More than 70 unsuccessful marijuana dispensary applicants dropped a lawsuit against the state Tuesday after...

What pet owners should know about cannabis and CBD products

By Fresh Toast

September 22, 2020 at 4:39 p.m.

A lot has been said about CBD pet products and their capacity to tame anxiety...

Marijuana dispensary applicants drop lawsuit in the wake of 2nd chance for lottery

By Robert Channick

September 22, 2020 at 3:51 p.m.

More than 70 unsuccessful marijuana dispensary applicants dropped a lawsuit against the state Tuesday after...

Toi Hutchinson, senior adviser to the governor on cannabis control, speaks at a news conference at the Thompson Center in Chicago on Jan. 2, 2020.

After uproar over process, applicants will get a 2nd chance to qualify for a marijuana retail license in Illinois

By Robert McCoppin

September 21, 2020 at 7:58 p.m.

Business owners hoping to open recreational marijuana shops in Illinois will get a second chance...

Reporter and multimedia journalist Susie Plascencia uncovered that La Chingona Canabis' bio had been fabricated and the company was owned mostly by white men who are being accused of culturally appropriating Mexican culture.

Marijuana seller’s story of ‘badass’ Mexican sisters was a cultural misstep, Latinas say

By Dorany Pineda

September 21, 2020 at 12:25 p.m.

LOS ANGELES — The story of the three Mexican sisters who broke into the cannabis...

In 1996, marijuana legislation took a major step forward thanks to California. The Golden State became the first in the union to legalize medical marijuana via the Compassionate Use Act.

New poll breaks down why people are turning to weed during pandemic

By Fresh Toast

September 21, 2020 at 12:24 p.m.

It's no secret that the pandemic has made a lot of people turn to weed...

The NuMed marijuana dispensary, now known as NuEra, located on North Avenue in Chicago on Jan. 6, 2020.

Rival marijuana companies jockey for West Loop marijuana shop sites

By Robert Channick

September 21, 2020 at 3:24 p.m.

The weed dispensary wars are heating up on Randolph Street. Rival marijuana companies NuEra and...

Angelo Ross, left, facing camera, and Jonathan Diaz, right, facing camera both Patient Consultants at Trulieve a Medical Marijuana ,dispensery in Orlando Florida assist patients Tuesday,April 24, 2018. (Red Huber/Staff Photographer)

Medical marijuana chocolates, cookies and gels hit the dispensary shelves in Florida

By Austin Fuller

September 21, 2020 at 12:26 p.m.

Nearly four years after Floridians voted to legalize medical marijuana, chocolates, cookies and gummy-like gels...