Fact check: Illinois marijuana revenue $600M below potential

By Dylan Sharkey

07/27/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is touting how much marijuana revenue Illinois received in 2021. But high taxes and regulatory blunders have kept Illinois weed between $200 million and $600 million shy of its potential.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, legalization, marijuana, taxes

Marijuana tax suspended to cut San Francisco crime surge

By Dylan Sharkey

12/07/2021

High taxes on marijuana are believed to help illegal dealers and violence thrive, so San Francisco is holding off on new city pot taxes to help legal dispensaries compete. Illinois and Chicago, where taxes top 40%, may want to pay attention.

TAGS: black market, legalization, marijuana, San Francisco

Illinois cannabis taxes among nation’s highest, could keep black market thriving

By Austin Berg

01/09/2020

Springfield lawmakers have yet to learn the lesson that money walks. And it’s not just to other states. Sometimes, it walks past the legal dispensary with a 40% tax rate and into a dealer’s house.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, decriminalization, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, legalization, marijuana, medical marijuana, Springfield, tax burden, taxes, THC

What you need to know about marijuana legalization in Illinois

By Austin Berg

01/01/2020

Answers to frequently asked questions about Illinois’ cannabis legalization law.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, legalization, marijuana

Where you can and can’t buy recreational marijuana in Illinois

11/15/2019

Many Illinois municipalities have voted to ban or restrict marijuana sales when it becomes legal for sale. Here’s a list of where pot will, won’t and might be legally bought.

TAGS: Arlington Heights, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, cannabis, Carbondale, Carol Stream, Chicago, City of Springfield, collar counties, Collinsville, Danville, Decatur, Downers Grove, DuPage County, Edwardsville, Elmhurst, Grayslake, Highland Park, Joliet, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, legalization, Libertyville, Lombard, marijuana, Mundelein, municipal government, Naperville, Northbrook, Oak Park, Plainfield, prohibition, Schaumburg, Urbana, Waukegan, Wheaton, Winnetka

Chicago council member calls for decriminalization of magic mushrooms

By Vincent Caruso

10/22/2019

City leaders passed a resolution expressing support for expanding scientific and medicinal research on organic psychedelics in Chicago, with the goal of decriminalizing adult use of the plants and fungi.

TAGS: Brian Hopkins, Chicago, Chicago City Council, criminal justice reform, decriminalization, legalization, magic mushrooms

Illinois lawmakers pass marijuana legalization

By Vincent Caruso

05/31/2019

A bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois is en route to the highest office in the state.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, expungement, Kelly Cassidy, legalization, licensing, marijuana, regulations

Illinois lawmakers hear testimony for marijuana legalization proposals

By Brendan Bakala

09/07/2017

Two bills to legalize marijuana currently sit in Springfield.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, Heather Steans, Kelly Cassidy, legalization, marijuana

Poll shows ‘large majorities’ of Illinois voters support legalizing marijuana

By Hilary Gowins

03/27/2017

Illinoisans of all ages, political party affiliations and regions of the state favor legalizing marijuana and regulating and taxing it like alcohol, as provided in legislation proposed by state Rep. Kelly Cassidy on March 22.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, Kelly Cassidy, legalization, marijuana

Illinois lawmaker proposes legislation to legalize marijuana

By Hilary Gowins

03/22/2017

Under state Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s proposal, Illinoisans age 21 and older could legally possess, manufacture and sell marijuana.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, decriminalization, Kelly Cassidy, legalization, marijuana