Illinois Cannabis News

Illinois lawmakers promised that patients will be given priority access to state-legal cannabis products once the legal market comes online; the notice was made in anticipation of product shortages immediately following legalization.

Evanston, Illinois has announced a plan to leverage adult-use cannabis taxes to provide financial assistance for minority communities who were most adversely affected by drug war policies.

Illinois officials have awarded the state’s first adult-use retailer licenses — 14 dispensaries received “same-site” licenses, meaning they will be allowed to open their existing medical cannabis stores to anyone 21+.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot proposed major cannabis policy shifts for the city in light of the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Illinois, which is set to take effect January 1.

Cannabis industry workers at Green Thumb Industries in Rock Island, Illinois have unionized amid accusations of unfair labor practices, harassment, retaliation, and unlawful intimidation.

The first adult-use cultivation licenses have been awarded in Illinois; shops are expected to open their doors to adult-use customers on January 1, 2020.

A CBD shop in Chicago is suing its landlord after being told they couldn’t display their logo, which contains a hemp leaf, on local signage because the landlords claim it would promote “marijuana usage.”

Illinois regulators have named the 26 companies selected to provide health and safety training for the state’s upcoming adult-use cannabis dispensaries.

Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Illinois has launched a cannabis certificate course focusing on the plant’s molecular biology, drug laws, the treatment of terminal illnesses, and other knowledge helpful for finding cannabis industry employment.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois has signed legislation expanding the state’s medical cannabis program, including one bill that makes the program — which was set to expire next year — permanent.

Illinois is officially the 11th state to legalize adult-use cannabis and will be the first state to regulate cannabis sales via the legislature. The new law, signed this morning, will also set up nearly 800,000 prior cannabis convictions for expungement.

Medical cannabis company Columbia Care, which operates in 12 states, has launched its own credit card for patients in New York. According to the company, the option has boosted sales in an otherwise cash-only marketplace and there are plans to introduce the card next in Illinois.

Illinois lawmakers have approved a legalization bill that, if signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker — a cannabis legalization supporter — would make Illinois the 11th state to legalize cannabis.

A tax-and-regulate legalization plan has advanced from the Illinois Senate to the House of Representatives. The bill has the support of Gov. J.B. Pritzker and, if fully approved, would make Illinois the 11th state to legalize cannabis for adult use.

The Archdiocese of Chicago — one of Illinois’ most powerful organizations — has come out against legal cannabis in the state; meanwhile, one of the group’s top officials serves on the board of Insys Therapeutics, a notoriously anti-legalization pharmaceutical group.

Illinois’ adult-use legalization legislation has been unveiled by state lawmakers; according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the bill will “right historic wrongs” of cannabis prohibition.

Illinois lawmakers are expected to unveil legislation this week that would legalize and regulate cannabis sales for adults aged 21 or older; Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker already supports the move.

A proposal in Illinois would make the state’s medical cannabis program permanent and add 12 new conditions to the state’s qualifying conditions list.

Grassroots Cannabis in Illinois completed its first capital raise of $90 million; the company is now set to expand facilities in Illinois, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker will work with the Illinois legislature to make good on campaign promises to legalize.