{"id":3207,"date":"2020-01-01T09:52:10","date_gmt":"2020-01-01T09:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/laws-and-regulations\/illinois"},"modified":"2025-11-26T18:32:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T18:32:05","slug":"illinois","status":"publish","type":"law","link":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/laws-and-regulations\/illinois","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Weed Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tIs weed legal in Illinois?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes. Both medical and recreational cannabis are legal in the Land of Lincoln.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tLegislation history<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Illinois passed its first cannabis legislation, outlawing recreational marijuana, in 1931. Cannabis use remained illegal under Illinois marijuana laws until <\/span>the Cannabis Control Act of 1978<\/span><\/a>. While this Illinois marijuana bill technically legalized medical cannabis, the Department of Human Services and the Illinois State Police never crafted regulations. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, in 2013, Illinois passed its first viable medical cannabis law when Gov. Pat Quinn signed the <\/span>Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act<\/span><\/a>. This bill legalized the cultivation, sale, and use of medical marijuana in the state and charged the departments of Public Health (DPH), Agriculture, and Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) with composing the rules necessary to implement the pilot program. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dispensaries began their first sales to qualified patients in November 2015. Legislative changes over the years opened up the program to many more patients, added conditions, allowed people with opioid prescriptions to qualify for medical cannabis use, and made the medical cannabis pilot program permanent.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2016, <\/span>Illinois decriminalized marijuana possession<\/span><\/a>, meaning that those caught with 10 grams or less would face a $100 to $200 fine instead of jail time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act became the law of the land when Gov. JB Pritzker signed the legislation on June 25, 2019. This act legalized cannabis for adult use, making the state the 11th in the nation to do so. With Senate floor amendment 2<\/a>, Illinois became the first state in history to legalize cannabis usage via legislation rather than public referendum. The landmark legalization also triggered the expungement of hundreds of thousands of records of cannabis possession under 30 grams prior to legalization. The legislation formally went into effect and sales began on January 1, 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tRegulation authority <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The <\/span>Illinois Department of Public Health<\/span><\/a> regulates the medical marijuana program on behalf of patients, caregivers, and physicians. The <\/span>Department of Financial and Professional Regulation<\/span><\/a> is responsible for <\/span>regulating dispensing centers<\/span><\/a>. The <\/span>Illinois Department of Agriculture<\/span><\/a> licenses cultivation centers throughout the state.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tWhere is it safe to purchase weed in Illinois?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Registered patients and caregivers<\/span><\/a> may legally purchase medical cannabis at a dispensary. Medical patients are responsible for a 1% pharmaceutical tax, while cultivators and dispensaries must pay a 7% of the sales price per ounce. Patients and caregivers may purchase up to 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of usable cannabis per 14-day period.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qualifying patients may purchase medical cannabis only from their chosen dispensary, as indicated in their initial registry application form. A patient can <\/span>change their selected dispensary<\/span><\/a> at any time free of charge by completing the <\/span>Medical Cannabis Selection Form<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adults over the age of 18 can purchase cannabis for recreational use at any one of Illinois' many adult-use dispensaries. <\/span>Like their medical counterparts, adult-use growers pay a 7% tax but only on their first sale. Dispensaries, however, pay 10% tax on products with less than 35% THC, 25% on products with more than 35% THC, and 20% on any infused products. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While medical dispensaries are exempt from any local taxes, adult-use shops pay the state's 6.25% tax as well as any local taxes, though cities can't tax more than 3% and counties are limited to 3.75%. Shoppers can expect those taxes to be built into the price of weed. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tWhere is it safe to consume cannabis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Consuming cannabis in any public place or where it would reasonably endanger the health or well-being of another person is prohibited. Consumption on school grounds is prohibited, with the exception of minors who may bring their medicine to school and consume under the supervision of a parent, guardian, caregiver, or school nurse. Minors are not allowed to smoke or vape cannabis.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consuming marijuana before operating any vehicle or before undertaking tasks that would constitute negligence or professional malpractice will subject violators to similar penalties as alcohol-related driving-under-the-influence (DUI) offenses. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPossessing cannabis <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Patients may possess up to 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of cannabis or cannabis products during any 14-day period. Patients can ask their doctor for a recommendation to possess more cannabis if needed. Medical marijuana cardholders can transport cannabis inside secure, sealed containers that are inaccessible while driving. Neither drivers nor passengers may consume cannabis inside a vehicle.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schools, employers, and landlords cannot refuse to enroll, employ, or lease an apartment to a medical marijuana consumer solely based on their status as a patient or caregiver.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients may not give away medical cannabis. Caregivers can purchase or possess cannabis medicine on behalf of their designated patient only. Adults can give away cannabis to anyone over the age of 21 provided no payment changes hands. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The possession limits for Illinois residents over the age of 21 are:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n