Rule change allows craft cannabis growers in Illinois to expand more quickly, but it may not be enough to save many of them

January 12, 2024
AggregatedNews
Illinois
0 Comments

A long-awaited change to allow craft cannabis growers to expand should bring consumers more choice, but may still not be enough for businesses to open or make a profit. A rule change in December by the Illinois Department of Agriculture…

High times for Illinois pot industry as annual recreational sales top $1.6 billion

January 11, 2024
AggregatedNews
Illinois
0 Comments

Illinois pot shops sold more than $1.6 billion worth of recreational marijuana in 2023, the latest record year for the state’s budding industry. That’s a 5% increase from licensed adult-use cannabis sales in 2022, according to figures released Thursday by the Illinois…

After long delays, new cannabis businesses are opening in Illinois with a vow to help others along the way

Five years after starting the process, Dan Pettigrew finally has opened his first cannabis store in Illinois. Pettigrew is the co-founder of Viola CHI with former NBA star Al Harrington, following years of operation by Viola Brands in Colorado, Michigan…

Legal pot meant a second chance for thousands in Illinois — did the state keep its promise?

The mood at the Sankofa Cultural Arts and Business Center on Chicago’s west side was celebratory on June 25, 2019, as hundreds gathered to watch Illinois make history. With the stroke of a pen, Gov. J.B. Pritzker made it legal…

Cannabis transporters file suit claiming competitors are operating without licenses

A group of licensed cannabis transporters have filed suit against Illinois regulators, claiming the state is allowing unlicensed operators to transport marijuana. Those targeted in the suit say the dispute is more a matter of transporters having great difficulty getting…

Cannabis advocates ask for changes in state law to provide protections for patients, business owners and motorists

Advocates called Tuesday for changes to help medical cannabis patients and to broaden opportunities in the marijuana industry. The Alliance for Cannabis Equity, a collective of social justice advocates, medical caretakers and trade associations, is seeking the changes to be…

New customer-friendly legal recreational cannabis in Missouri cuts into Illinois’ market

Illinois had a three-year head start on legalizing recreational marijuana, but in many ways, Missouri has surpassed it after just one month. The two states came to legalization very differently, which makes the laws in each state very different —…

Wisconsin residents spent estimated millions of dollars buying weed in Illinois last year

Wisconsin residents are choosing to spend their hard-earned cash in Illinois, specifically on weed. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation estimates the state made $36.1 million in tax revenue last year from Wisconsinites traveling across state lines to…

Illinois’ first social equity-licensed marijuana store to open next week in Chicago’s River North

November 10, 2022
AggregatedNews
Illinois
0 Comments

What state officials say would be the first social equity-licensed marijuana store in Illinois is scheduled to open next week in Chicago’s River North area. Green Rose Dispensary is soon to open on the site of the old Carson’s Ribs…

Marijuana tax revenue doubles in Illinois, cannabis sales surpass $1.5 billion

Illinois has seen a 50% increase in cannabis tax revenue since last year, thanks to the booming adult-use cannabis industry. Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office said Monday that adult-use cannabis sales exceeded $1.5 billion so far this year. "Illinois has done…

Proposal would prohibit hemp CBD shops in Chicago from calling themselves ‘dispensaries’

July 24, 2022
AggregatedNews
Hemp Business Executive, Hemp Policy & Legal, Illinois
0 Comments

CHICAGO - A proposed ordinance would prohibit CBD shops in Chicago from advertising themselves as “dispensaries,” in an attempt to distinguish them from state-licensed recreational cannabis shops. Licensed marijuana companies see the proposal as a way to keep unregulated competitors…

Time to exhale? State regulators finally pass around new batch of pot dispensary licenses

The long-awaited licenses are the first new ones to be issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration since marijuana was legalized in 2019 and sales started in 2020. Illinois regulators on Friday issued 149 cannabis dispensary licenses that promise to more…

Illinois craft marijuana growers can get back to work after judge lifts order that put industry on hold

Craft cannabis growers in Illinois may resume preparing to open for business after a judge Wednesday ended his order that prevented the state from expediting new licenses. Winnebago County Circuit Judge Stephen Balogh ruled that jilted license applicants challenging the…

Chicago’s legal weed biz is creating a boon for private security firms

A cash machine in the corner. An armed security guard near the door watching customers’ every move. As any legal weed buyer knows, these two features of marijuana dispensaries in Illinois set them apart from the typical retail experience. Legal…

Judge allows Illinois to issue licenses for 185 new cannabis stores following prolonged legal delay

After nearly 10 months of delay, a judge Friday ended the court order preventing Illinois from issuing 185 new recreational cannabis store licenses — though further litigation may jeopardize those licenses again. Cook County Circuit Judge Michael Mullen lifted the…

Rule change allows craft cannabis growers in Illinois to expand more quickly, but it may not be enough to save many of them

High times for Illinois pot industry as annual recreational sales top $1.6 billion

After long delays, new cannabis businesses are opening in Illinois with a vow to help others along the way

Legal pot meant a second chance for thousands in Illinois — did the state keep its promise?

Cannabis transporters file suit claiming competitors are operating without licenses

Cannabis advocates ask for changes in state law to provide protections for patients, business owners and motorists

New customer-friendly legal recreational cannabis in Missouri cuts into Illinois’ market

Wisconsin residents spent estimated millions of dollars buying weed in Illinois last year

Marijuana tax revenue doubles in Illinois, cannabis sales surpass $1.5 billion

Proposal would prohibit hemp CBD shops in Chicago from calling themselves ‘dispensaries’

Time to exhale? State regulators finally pass around new batch of pot dispensary licenses

Illinois craft marijuana growers can get back to work after judge lifts order that put industry on hold

Chicago’s legal weed biz is creating a boon for private security firms

Judge allows Illinois to issue licenses for 185 new cannabis stores following prolonged legal delay

Upcoming Events

Fuel Your Fire at MJBizCon – Dec 3-6 – Las Vegas!

Fuel Your Fire at MJBizCon – Dec 3-6 – Las Vegas!

CANNEXPO

ICBC Berlin 2025

MJ Unpacked Atlantic City 2025

Cannabis Drinks Expo 2025 Growing the Category