Is Weed Legal in Illinois?

As weed becomes increasingly popular in the United States we’re seeing more states than ever legalizing recreational marijuana. While this is a huge step for the cannabis community, it does make it a little difficult to determine the legality of the substance in your state.

After all, even in states where it’s legal different laws are surrounding the substance. For example, is weed legal in Illinois? And what are some of the specific laws surrounding the plant in the state?

If you want to learn the answer to these questions and more, then you’re in the right place. This article will be diving into everything you need to know about recreational weed in Illinois. Let’s get started!

Is Weed Legal in Illinois?

Yes, weed is legal in Illinois. In June of 2019, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill that made recreational marijuana legal throughout all of Illinois. In doing so, Illinois became the eleventh state in the United States to make the historic design to legalize the substance for the general population to enjoy.

Who is Allowed to Buy Weed?

Anyone can buy recreational weed in Illinois. You no longer need a medical marijuana card to have access to the dispensaries. The only stipulation is that you must be at least twenty-one years old.

Younger individuals can purchase weed if they own a medical marijuana card, though they will need parental consent if they’re under eighteen years old. If it’s your first time smoking weed, then we recommend checking out our advice.

Where Can You Purchase Weed?

You can purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary. You still aren’t allowed to purchase weed off of individual sellers, like a friend or dealer. Unfortunately, individual cities or towns can decide whether or not to allow dispensaries. You can find a full list of the officially licensed dispensaries through this guide here.

How Much Cannabis Are You Allowed to Possess?

You can possess thirty grams, or a little over one ounce, of marijuana at any given time. However, the limit is different for concentrates, which you can only possess five grams of. Finally, you can have 500 milligrams of cannabis-infused products like edibles, tinctures, and other products that have THC in them. Any visitors to the state can possess half of these amounts.

Are You Allowed to Grow Weed at Home in Illinois?

If you own medical marijuana cards, then you can grow up to five plants at home at any given time. However, people without a medical card aren’t allowed to grow. If they’re caught, then they face a fine of up to $200 for growing five plants. However, the good news is that the state will soon be issuing licenses for craft growers to grow up to 5,000 square feet of plants.

Where Are You Allowed to Smoke?

You can only smoke at home or certain cannabis-related businesses. Weed is still not allowed in public places, motor vehicles, or at schools. The one exception is at school if you have a medical marijuana card. Any owner of private property can prohibit the use of marijuana on their property.

How Will Weed Be Taxed?

Any cannabis products with a THC percentage that’s under 35% will have a 10% sales tax placed on them. This sale tax increases as the concentration increases. For example, any product with a THC percentage that’s higher than 35% will come with a 25% sales tax.

Also, any county or municipality has the option to tack on additional local taxes. Dispensaries or growers in particular will be charged with a 7% gross receipts tax. This means that they will probably increase the price of their final product to compensate for this tax.

What Happens If You Have a Prior Marijuana Conviction?

If the criminal offense was related to possession of under thirty grams, then the case will be sent to a review board. If it goes through, then it will be passed on to Governor J.B. Pritzker to be pardoned.

However, the crime must be non-violent. Assuming the pardon is granted, then the attorney general will seek to erase the charge from the individual’s criminal record. If the individual has a charge of 30 to 500 grams of possession, then they can also go to court to get it removed. However, they will need to do so themselves using their resources.

How Does Weed Legalization Affect DUI Charges?

Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal. If your blood has a concentration of THC that’s higher than five nanograms per milliliter, then you’re considered impaired. Roadside testing methods are still in the works, but a solution should be reached soon.

Finding Weed in Chicago

Unfortunately, many of the dispensaries in Chicago still cater to medical marijuana patients only. Luckily, there are still some great options for finding recreational weed. One of them is Sunnyside. The location, which is found in Lakeview, has one of the largest selections of cannabis products in the city.

As of now, they only cater to online orders. Maribis of Chicago is another great option, plus they offer tons of great deals and discounts. The one catch is they only serve recreational users on the weekend.

If you like infused THC products, like high-end edibles and bath salts, then you’ll enjoy the minimalist feel of Columbia Car Chicago. However, if you’re a recreational user, then you’ll need to make an appointment before going.

Want to know where else weed is legal?

Luckily, 420 DC is your guide on where your can find legal weed in every legalized state. We have guides on the best dispensaries, smoke shops and delivery services throughout the country. Check out our blog and learn more.