A whiff of raw cannabis is enough for a police officer to search a vehicle, the Illinois Supreme Court decided in an opinion filed Thursday, even though marijuana is legal in the state. It’s the opposite of the conclusion justices reached in a September ruling in a case involving the smell of burnt cannabis. The disparity — that the smell of unsmoked marijuana is justification … [Read more...] about Smell of Raw Cannabis Enough for Police to Search a Vehicle, Illinois Supreme Court Rules. Smell of Burnt Cannabis is Not
ILLINOIS
Mundelein pot store wants second recreational lounge
Mundelein’s lone cannabis dispensary will add a second lounge for recreational users. The village board unanimously approved the proposal Monday by amending the ordinance that allows on-site consumption at Rise, 1325 Armour Blvd. The new, 2,000-square-foot lounge will be on the north side of the dispensary, near its main entrance. It will complement an existing … [Read more...] about Mundelein pot store wants second recreational lounge
Illinois Governor Says Marijuana Market Is Boosted By ‘Cannabis Tourists’ From Other States
Illinois’s governor says that while he’s “incredibly proud” of the state’s progress in repairing the harms of marijuana prohibition, he’s “not satisfied” yet and pledged to continue to promote equity in the legal cannabis industry. He also took a jab at surrounding states that have yet to enact legalization and estimated that 25 percent of Illinois’s cannabis sales come from … [Read more...] about Illinois Governor Says Marijuana Market Is Boosted By ‘Cannabis Tourists’ From Other States
Taking the lid off the money pot: Cook County offers grants to social equity marijuana businesses
When Illinois legalized recreational marijuana in 2020, state legislators sought to correct the effects of the drug war on Black and Brown communities with “the most equity-centric law in the nation.” The government did so by issuing special “social equity” cannabis business licenses for people of color so they could reap the profits of the now billion-dollar industry. But even … [Read more...] about Taking the lid off the money pot: Cook County offers grants to social equity marijuana businesses
Illinois Governor Cites Cannabis Reform While Campaigning for Biden
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker took to the campaign trail over the weekend to stump for President Joseph Biden, taking advantage of the 420 weed high holiday as an opportunity to tout the cannabis policy reforms made by the current administration. At a campaign stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday, Pritzker said that cannabis policy reform can have significant economic … [Read more...] about Illinois Governor Cites Cannabis Reform While Campaigning for Biden
Wheeling police take big haul of marijuana in traffic stop
WHEELING, W.Va. — A Chicago man is in custody after Wheeling police discovered 103 pounds of marijuana in his car following a traffic stop. Paul Okowinski (Photo/WVRJA) Paul Okowinski, 45, is in the Northern Regional Jail. Wheeling police said Okowinski was speeding heading east on Interstate 70 Saturday when an officer pulled him over. The officer smelled a strong odor of … [Read more...] about Wheeling police take big haul of marijuana in traffic stop
Cresco and Columbia Care call off $2 billion cannabis megamerger; Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs deal also scratched
Cresco Labs' flagship Sunnyside recreational marijuana store, a block south of Wrigley Field, is pictured during its grand opening Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. Chicago-based Cresco Labs and Columbia Care called off their $2 billion cannabis megamerger Monday, citing “evolving” market conditions that include falling stock prices, tightening credit and flattening industry sales. The … [Read more...] about Cresco and Columbia Care call off $2 billion cannabis megamerger; Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs deal also scratched
Growing the workforce: Suburban colleges add cannabis studies programs to their offerings
As Illinois' cannabis industry grows, area community colleges are adding programs to prepare students for careers in the field. Oakton College in Des Plaines and Joliet Junior College both have jumped into cannabis studies, offering students certificate programs that equip them for jobs in dispensaries, cultivation centers and supply chain positions. "It's an exploding … [Read more...] about Growing the workforce: Suburban colleges add cannabis studies programs to their offerings
Matteson welcomes new employee-owned marijuana dispensary
MATTESON, Ill. - An employee-owned cannabis dispensary opened its doors Wednesday morning in Matteson. Lux Leaf projects it will make over $10 million in its first year of operation. Matteson requires a 3-percent tax on recreational sales, which would equal out to $300,000 dollars for the village. "We are a diverse group of individuals that are very passionate about cannabis. … [Read more...] about Matteson welcomes new employee-owned marijuana dispensary
Wheeling weed shop wants to allow customers to smoke inside
WHEELING, Ill. - A marijuana dispensary in Wheeling has a new idea to improve the customer experience. "OKAY Cannabis" is the first and only store in the state to combine marijuana and alcohol sales. But now, it wants to allow its customers to smoke inside as well. The owners say rather than the "buy-and-get-out experience" at many dispensaries, the intent is for people to … [Read more...] about Wheeling weed shop wants to allow customers to smoke inside
