Illinois’ recreational cannabis industry is on a continuous race towards success, with sales of legal weed approaching $68 million in September — almost $4 million more than the total sales recorded in August. 

September’s sales comprised more than 1.4 million products. Approximately a quarter of sales – close to $18 million – were racked up by out-of-state residents. Adult-use cannabis sales kicked off in the state this January. 

These figures from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) demonstrate that the recreational cannabis market in Illinois is progressively getting stronger. 

Cannabis dispensaries in Illinois are limited, licenses pending 

In spite of business closures and social distancing measures that have been imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, recreational sales have almost doubled since recreational cannabis sales in Illinois started this January. The state began serving the adult-use consumer demographic through its existing 55 medical cannabis dispensaries, all of which were allowed to transition to the new market without worrying about licensing restrictions; at a second location.

On the recreational dispensary forefront, 67 dispensaries have received the adequate licensing so far. A lawsuit was recently filed by three unlucky cannabis dispensary applicants who are urging Gov. J. B. Pritzker to reconsider those who were unsuccessful in obtaining one of the 75 available licenses during the recently held lottery.

Despite Pritzker’s offer for the unlucky applicants – of which there were initially 21 chosen – to participate for a second chance in the recreational cannabis dispensary license lottery, a petition has been submitted to the Illinois Supreme Court that demands licensing without the need to qualify again.

Cannabis dispensaries in Illinois have more than $400 million since sales launched

Cannabis taxes in Illinois are dependent on a product’s potency. After all, the psychoactive constituent of the cannabis plant is still technically illegal as per the Schedule 1 classification by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as per the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Some products are taxed in the range of 40 percent.

Dispensaries have shifted $431 million worth of cannabis products in Illinois since the market opened for business. Of this amount, state revenue has been bulked up to the amount of $106 million.

Some of the state’s top-selling adult-use cannabis dispensaries include:

• Innovative MMJ Care – Chicago
• Chicago Compassion Club – Chicago
• Nature’s Care – Rolling Meadows
• Phoenix Botanical – Champaign
• The Green Solution Illinois – Sauget
• Thrive – Harrisburg
• Columbia Care Dispensary – Chicago

Unlike with medical cannabis dispensaries, consumers need not register for a card to obtain adult-use cannabis in Illinois.