If you’re planning a trip to the Windy City, you may be wondering “is weed legal in Chicago?” The short answer is “Yes!” Still, it’s important to be familiar with local consumption laws, and in today’s post we’ll share everything we know about Chicago weed legalization, including
- Who can purchase cannabis in Chicago?
- What are the medical and recreational cannabis laws in Chicago?
- What kinds of recreational cannabis products are available in Chicago?
- Where can you get them, and what are the purchase and possession limits?
- Where can you consume weed in Chicago?
- Who qualifies for medical cannabis in Chicago?
- What are medical marijuana purchase and possession limits in Chicago? What are the benefits of being a medical marijuana patient in Chicago?
- Can you grow your own cannabis in Chicago?
Okay, let’s dive into what you need to know in order to enjoy cannabis safely and legally in Chicago.
Is Weed Legalized in Chicago?
Yes! As of 2020, adults 21 and over can purchase and consume cannabis in Chicago (and anywhere else in the great state of Illinois). In addition, Illinois residents 18 and older may possess a medical cannabis card, but they must first have a doctor verify that they suffer from one or more of the legally mandated qualifying conditions.
But even if weed is legalized in Chicago, that doesn’t mean you can do anything you like with it. For one thing, it’s strictly illegal to resell it. You are allowed to gift cannabis to anyone you like, provided that person is at least 21 years of age and provided the amount doesn’t exceed the legal limits (more on that in a moment).
In order to purchase cannabis you’ll need a valid, government-issued ID. That means a driver’s license, passport, or other official document that includes your age and home address.
These are the top-level takeaways, but of course there are important facets of Illinois recreational and medical cannabis laws to be aware of. And because they’re different for each type, we’ll break them down further in the next two sections of this guide.
Recreational Weed in Chicago: What You Need to Know
Under Illinois law, recreational cannabis customers can purchase a wide variety of products, including:
- Fresh flower and pre-rolled joints
- Concentrate such as wax, shatter, resin, hash, and other forms
- Vapes and associated vape cartridges
- Cannabis-infused edibles and beverages
- Tinctures
- Topicals
While it’s legal to purchase and possess these products, they must be bought from a licensed dispensary such as Mission. In addition to the tax implications—the state excise taxes you pay on cannabis purchases help pay a cannabis expungement fund for those previously convicted of cannabis-related crimes, among other budgetary uses—the major reason to buy from dispensaries is because the cannabis products we sell are carefully inspected and tested to make sure they’re potent, pure, free of contaminants, and grown in accordance with state quality assurance laws.
Adult-Use Purchase and Possession Limits
There are limits as to how much cannabis Illinois state residents are legally permitted to purchase and possess. Because different types of products have very different potencies, these limits are broken down by type of product:
- 30 grams (roughly 1 ounce) of cannabis flower
- 500 milligrams of THC in cannabis-infused products such as edibles
- 5 grams of cannabis concentrates
There are different purchase and possession rules for non-residents. If you’re visiting the great state of Illinois and you’re at least 21 years of age, you’re allowed to purchase and possess cannabis up to the following amounts:
- 15 grams of cannabis flower
- 250 milligrams of THC in infused products
- 2.5 grams of cannabis concentrates
But no matter how much cannabis you’re allowed to possess, one thing’s for certain: You’re not allowed to cross state lines with it.
Where to Consume Cannabis in Chicago
While the city of Chicago has demonstrated its willingness to accommodate those of us who love cannabis—even before the recreational law went into effect, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot indicated that Chicago Police Department officers wouldn’t be issuing tickets to those partaking in their backyards or balconies.
Still, that doesn’t mean you can light up anywhere you like. In Chicago, cannabis consumption in public is illegal. This includes:
- Streets
- Restaurants or bars
- Parks
- Near schools
- Near correctional facilities
- Near daycare facilities
- Any areas adjacent to the dispensary where you purchased the cannabis
Consumption on private property is permitted, though if you’re a renter this is subject to the discretion of the property owner.
Furthermore, you can’t smoke in a car, regardless of whether or not it’s in motion. Much the same as with alcohol, any cannabis you transport in your vehicle must be placed in a secured, sealed (or resealable) and odor-proof container. That’s one reason our Chicago recreational dispensaries package all products in legally approved bags, both for your legal safety and your convenience.
Medical Weed in Chicago: What You Need to Know
Even though recreational weed was legalized in Chicago in 2020, there’s a large community of medical cannabis patients who rely on this medicine for chronic pain, anxiety, and other symptoms and conditions. If you’re an Illinois resident 18 or older and a doctor has verified that you suffer from one or more of the legally mandated qualifying conditions, you’re eligible to register for a state medical cannabis card. Here’s how the process works.
If you believe you suffer from one or more of the qualifying conditions recognized by the state, you must have a certified health care provider (such as a medical doctor, registered nurse, or physician assistant) fill out an online form attesting that you actually suffer from one or more of the named conditions.
The next step is to apply for a card through the Illinois Department of Public Health website. This process requires:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of Illinois residency
- A photo of yourself
- The required fee
After you’ve submitted all the paperwork, the department will review the completed application within 30 days, and issue a registry card within 15 days of approval.
Benefits of Getting a Medical Card in Chicago
Given that there are all these steps—and that recreational weed is legal in Chicago—why bother applying? There are a number of benefits to getting an Illinois medical marijuana card.
Depending on the products you buy and the jurisdiction where you buy them, medical cannabis patients can save up to 30% compared with adult-use customers!
There are also different purchase limits for medical customers, allowing you to stock up more on each dispensary visit. While recreational cannabis users have a per-purchase and total possession limit, medical users have a higher allowance (2.5 ounces) within a 14-day period. You can also apply for a waiver that allows you to purchase up to 5 ounces within a 14-day period if necessary.
Can You Grow Your Own Cannabis?
Ready to put your green thumb to the test? Under Chicago weed legalization, medical patients who are 21 and over can grow up to five of their own plants, so long as they meet these requirements:
- The grower must live in a household that owns the residence or has permission
- from the owner.
- The grower is limited to growing no more than 5 plants that are five inches or taller.
- The grower shall take reasonable precautions to ensure that plants are secure from unauthorized access.
Legalized Weed in Chicago: Wrapping Up
We hope that this post has provided some clarity around Chicago weed legalization and what you can—and can’t—do in the Windy City. Most of all, we want to make sure your cannabis consumption is safe, enjoyable, and legal!
Speaking of which, if you’re ready to exercise your rights as a Chicago weed smoker, we’d love to help you with that! Start by choosing the Mission Chicago dispensary closest to you, where you’ll find a huge selection of fresh flower, vapes, edibles, and much much more.
Still need clarity around the question “is weed legal in Chicago, Illinois”? Stop by any of our locations and ask any of our friendly budtenders for more information. We’re here to help!
