The recreational cannabis market in Illinois got off to a slow start in 2022, with legal adult-use sales plummeting 15 percent sequentially, despite rising 32 percent from the previous year.  

Fortunately, Illinois’ adult-use cannabis sales managed to gain some stability during the month of February. 

Although sales of $114 million sank three percent from January, data collectors noted that January of 2022 had three more days than February. 

In comparison with sales results recorded one year ago, the latest figure indicates growth of 41 percent.

Adult-use cannabis sales in Illinois jumped 106 percent between 2020 and 2021, with last year’s revenue amounting to $1.38 billion. 

Year-to-date recreational cannabis sales of $231.3 million have already surged 36 percent in 2022. 

Moreover, transactions involving non-residents accounted for 34.2 percent of transactions in October.

Out-of-state transactions dropped 32.3 percent in November, 30.7 percent in December and 30.1 percent in January, before tumbling an additional 30 percent during February.

Illinois cannabis sales: The state published separate data for its medical program

This past February, medical cannabis sales in Illinois amounted to $28.2 million. In comparison with the previous year, this is a five percent reduction. 

Combined cannabis sales from the medical and adult use markets inflated by 29 percent in February to an impressive $142.2 million. These figures represented a three percent sequential reduction.

Last year, both markets raked in $1.78 billion, which is a 72 percent increase from 2020. As of March 2022, the medical and recreational segments have grown 25 percent since one year ago.

Illinois House approves workplace protections for cannabis users 

Adults in Illinois who choose to consume legal cannabis in their free time would be safeguarded from job termination under a legislative measure that was recently approved by the state’s House of Representatives. 

As per the legal language contained in the bill, which passed on Thursday, March 3, the majority of employers would be forbidden from dismissing workers or discriminating against prospective workers if they return a positive test for cannabis. However, some exceptions would apply.

“If we’re going to legalize the substance, you should talk about individual liberties and what people want to do on their weekends,” said Rep. Bob Morgan (D), the bill’s sponsor, ahead of the vote.

The Democrat’s workplace protection bill features a number of exceptions for employees in specific areas of employment. Some examples include people who work with aircraft, heavy machinery, emergency services and/or in safety-sensitive roles.

Should the legislation progress with Senate approval, employees would still run the risk of being fired for cannabis impairment at the workplace. 

“We should allow people to make good choices and not be discriminated against in the workplace because of those choices as long as it’s not affecting the workplace,” added Morgan, whose bill now heads to the Senate for further review.