Marijuana
Cannabis is a growing industry in Chicago and Illinois. Here’s our comprehensive coverage, from the legalization of recreational marijuana to cooking with cannabis.
Delta-8, a synthetic hemp-derived THC intoxicant with serious side effects, shows up in products sold at mini-marts and other locations near schools. Better regulation of hemp products will protect kids from these dangerous products.
The DEA’s proposal would recognize the medical uses of cannabis. However, it would not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use.
Sales of weed in Illinois are concentrated among a few retailers, according to a Headset study. And the state tacks on taxes.
Cresco Labs and Columbia Care announced Monday the termination of a merger that was originally struck in 2022.
A lawsuit filed this week in Cook County court claims a Cresco chemist resigned in May and quickly joined GTI, in violation of a one-year non-compete agreement.
Viola Brands looks to drive diversity in Illinois cannabis industry with first Chicago-area pot shop
A Hyde Park entrepreneur in partnership with a pair of former NBA stars were awarded licenses for two pot shops: one opening this week in suburban Broadview and another later this year in Lincoln Park.
Baked Buds produces three varieties of cannabis-infused gummies.
Union representatives said the strike is over unfair labor practices. They have been in negotiations with the company on a new contract since June.
Three years after pot was legalized, legal aid groups have been surprised by the small number of residents seeking out help clearing marijuana arrests from their records.
State law and sweeping moves by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and State’s Attorney Kim Foxx cleared cannabis convictions off the books, but many cases have not been expunged.
Edna Peterson was searching for a job on Craigslist earlier this year and came across an offer that sounded too good to be true: “Interested in a quick $2,000?”
MedMen Enterprises said it is also reviewing other asset sales as it attempts to narrow losses.
The Grasshopper Club is a family business run by Mount Carmel graduate Matthew Brewer, his brother, Chuck, and their mother, Dianne.
Mike Noonan was the consummate Illinois political insider. He now runs a “budtique” in southwestern Michigan.
The Cannabis Research Institute, run by the city, state and Discovery Partners Institute, will examine social equity, medicinal and health effects of marijuana.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who visited a new dispensary co-owned by Black family members Wednesday, said he hopes the other social equity license holders can open and diversify the white-dominated industry in Illinois.
The ruling followed a four-hour hearing in which a nearby resident’s plea to dismiss the proposal was denied.
“The neighborhood has just gone to pot,” said Robert Brown, who has questioned the legality of the proposal and has organized neighbors who feel another dispensary could tank property values and further drive up crime.
Though the research was limited in scope, it found that marijuana might be linked to an increased risk of emphysema compared with smoking tobacco alone.
The music and fashion mogul will acquire stores in Chicago and Villa Park and a growing operation in Aurora in a deal with Cresco Labs and Columbia Care.
Regulations for businesses who got licenses in Illinois ‘social equity’ lottery make it hard to raise cash, panelists at a City Club luncheon said.
He’s also calling on governors to issue similar pardons for those convicted of state marijuana offenses.
But the landlord insists its lease is both “valid and enforceable.”
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.
“I worked 30 years of my life in management, so I was an ideal employee, I had ambitions to move up with Zen Leaf,” said Jim Doane, an organizing employee. “But I’m an old guy and I am tired of being bullied by the bosses. I showed up early, I received praise and I worked hard for them to just fire me.”
Five people were hit with felony charges when city officials raided two pot-centric pop-up parties last week.
Lawsuits had delayed issuance of 185 social equity licenses for more than two years.
After PTS’ initial plan was deemed illegal, the clouted company partnered on the project with a social equity equity firm called Bio-Pharm. During a community meeting Tuesday, it was revealed that Bio-Pharm’s owner is the chief executive of the state’s largest relocation company.
PTS had sought to move its Consume dispensary from 6428 N. Milwaukee Ave. to 605 N. Clark St. Yet the plan was doomed by state law, so the firm is now partnering with a social equity firm in attempt to open at the former tourist attraction.