On June 25, 2019, Illinois made history by becoming the 11th state to legalize recreational cannabis — and the first to do so through legislation rather than a ballot initiative. Under the state’s Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, recreational cannabis sales to adults aged 21 and older officially began on January 1, 2020.
The new law initially allowed 55 medical marijuana dispensaries, legal in the state since 2014, to apply for adult-use retail licenses, permitting them to sell recreational cannabis from their medical dispensary locations. Additionally, these dispensaries may apply to open a second retail location.
The Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act provided 75 legal licenses for recreational cannabis dispensaries in Illinois. On July 15, 2021, HB 1443, which provides for a total of 110 additional social equity licenses in Illinois through two lotteries, was signed into law by the governor. Social equity cannabis licenses were issued in 2022, and these dispensaries are expected to gradually start opening in 2023.
Below, we’ve answered as many questions as possible regarding cannabis retail and dispensary laws in Illinois, and we will update this page regularly as new information becomes available. This page is informational only and should not be considered legal advice.