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 plants are seen at a secured growing facility in Washington County, N.Y., May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

What marijuana reclassification means for the United States

By Jennifer Peltz

May 1, 2024 at 7:39 a.m.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is moving toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug....

Customers in the Cresco Labs' flagship Sunnyside recreational marijuana store, a block south of Wrigley Field on Nov. 15, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Illinois pot businesses could gain tax benefits, easier loan access under DEA reclassification

By Robert McCoppin

May 2, 2024 at 5:04 p.m.

Cannabis company owners in Illinois welcomed the news that the federal government is expected to...

The 1937 Group is seeking a special-use permit to allow it open a marijuana dispensary at the shuttered Scott Credit Union at 91st Street and Kedzie Avenue. (Hank Sanders/Daily Southtown)

Cannabis business looking to open in Evergreen Park meets skeptical community

By Hank Sanders

April 30, 2024 at 3:26 p.m.

Evergreen Park residents and trustees grilled The 1937 Group CEO and other officials, expressing frustration...

At their wedding reception in Chicago, Josh Christianson and his bride Aja Heinlein smoke a joint at Salvage One on April 14, 2024. The couple brought in High Minded Events which provided a cocktail/weed hour, rolling joints for guests to smoke on the outdoor patio or to take home and smoke later. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

I doobie? Weed wedding the latest sign of spread of cannabis events

By Robert McCoppin

April 19, 2024 at 2:02 p.m.

At one recent wedding, a budtender was hired to hand out pot to guests in...

FILE – A guest takes a puff from a marijuana cigarette at the Sensi Magazine party celebrating the 420 holiday in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, April 20, 2019. Marijuana advocates are gearing up for Saturday, April 20, 2024. Known as 4/20, marijuana’s high holiday is marked by large crowds gathering in parks, at festivals and on college campuses to smoke together. This year, activists can reflect on how far the movement has come. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

4/20 grew from humble roots to marijuana’s high holiday

By Associated Press

April 20, 2024 at 10:25 a.m.

Marijuana advocates are gearing up for April 20.

Alexandra Tatro smokes a joint inside of the Sesh bus to celebrate 420 day with a "wake and bake" on April 20, 2023, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Celebrations planned in Chicago and beyond to mark 420 — the unofficial cannabis holiday

By Robert McCoppin

April 19, 2024 at 2:06 p.m.

Four years into cannabis legalization in Illinois, celebrations of the April 20 informal weed holiday...

Tiffany Chappell Ingram, executive director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, holds a bag of Fritos and a THC product that mimics the packaging on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the State Capitol in Springfield as Cannabiz IL and state legislators present bipartisan legislation regulating hemp consumer products and prohibiting synthetic THC intoxicants such as Delta-8. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Illinois lawmakers call for ban on intoxicating hemp products, but retailers call for regulations

By Robert McCoppin

April 13, 2024 at 4:24 p.m.

Lawmakers joined the licensed cannabis industry Thursday in calling for a ban on intoxicating hemp...

Hemp plants dry at Tulip Tree Gardens in Beecher on Oct. 3, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

‘Wild West environment’ of mislabeled hemp products like Delta-8 THC prompts renewed calls for regulation

By Robert McCoppin

March 21, 2024 at 6:07 p.m.

A recent study that found dangerously mislabeled contents of unlicensed hemp products in Illinois, like...

Rick Ringold mingles with friends and customers at the grand opening of Galaxy cannabis dispensary, which he owns with wife Michelle Ringold, in Richton Park, Feb. 15, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Cannabis companies go ‘vertical’ to both grow and sell products

By Robert McCoppin

February 19, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Michelle and Rick Ringold have built a successful partnership–both in marriage and in cannabis. Rick...

The Supreme Court of Illinois building at Capitol Avenue and 2nd Street in Springfield on Oct. 29, 2022.

Is marijuana odor an ‘aroma of legality’ or a reason for cops to search vehicles? Illinois Supreme Court to decide.

By Robert McCoppin

February 5, 2024 at 6:07 p.m.

An issue that has tied lower courts in knots — whether the odor of cannabis...