The 20 best Chicago dispensaries for buying marijuana

This Andersonville storefront was the first spot in Chicago licensed to sell medical marijuana all the way back in 2015, making Dispensary 33 one of the city’s cannabis pioneers. Walking into the place feels a bit like entering a weed museum, with numerous cases displaying the products on offer and detailed drawings of cannabis plants on the walls. Dispensary 33 prides itself on a carefully-curated line of products, researching and testing every variety of flower, pre-roll or tincture before making the decision to sell it to medical and recreational customers.

ATM available

Bucktown’s Ivy Hall made headlines in late 2022 as one of Illinois’ first majority-Black-owned cannabis dispensaries, and one of the first to open in Chicago under the state’s long-delayed social equity licensing program. Conveniently located a short walk from the Damen Blue Line stop and close to munchies-friendly establishment’s like Dimo’s and Mindy’s Bakery, Ivy Hall sets itself apart as the “sensory dispensary,” creating an intimate vibe with cozy décor and Insta-worthy neon signage. You can shop online and pre-order a variety of products from popular brands like Dogwalkers and the Vic Mensa-founded 93 Boyz, but the friendly concierge-level service of Ivy Hall’s budtenders merits an in-person visit. 

Accepts cash and debit cards with transaction fee; ATM on-site. Discounts available for veterans, SSDI users and medical patients, as well as 20% off for new customers.

It’s hard to miss this River North dispensary, thanks to a colorful mural of the flower that shares its name and an aesthetic, botanically-inspired interior. Another recipient of the long-awaited social equity licenses for cannabis businesses, Green Rose touts a diverse ownership and management team. Ample parking and the Chicago Brown Line station close by make Green Rose a convenient stop when you’re looking for some cannabis products downtown.

It was really only a matter of time before someone opened up a dispensary on Weed Street. Part of a national chain that boasts ten other Illinois locations stretching from Deerfield to Morris, the Chicago outpost of Curaleaf only sells recreational products, including flower, edibles, vapes and tinctures. Swing by to stock up on THC-laden items before or after you grab some snacks at the Whole Foods down the street.

Debit transactions available through CanPay app; ATMs on-site. Discounts available for veterans and new customers.

National cannabis conglomerate Cresco Labs (the same folks who launched pastry chef Mindy Segal’s line of edibles) operates this brick-and-mortar retail brand with 10 locations sprinkled across the state. The Lakeview outpost was Sunnyside's first in Chicago, and in late 2021, the dispensary moved down the street into the massive former site of Wrigleyville frat-palace John Barleycorn. 

The easiest way to get your green is by ordering in advance through Sunnyside’s virtual marketplace, where you can stock up on flower as well as vapes, edibles, tinctures and pre-rolled joints (and yes, Mindy’s gummies are a must). Pickup is a breeze—just be prepared to show your driver’s license and provide your order number.

ATM available, debit cards accepted. Discounts available for veterans, seniors, SSDI users, students, teachers, industry professionals and first-time customers. 

Ascend Logan Square, formerly Ascend by MOCA, has been providing medical cannabis since 2016, before expanding into recreational sales. There aren’t many products on display, but budtenders will walk you through the menu of flower, edibles, vapes and concentrates—and they can also help you sign up for Ascend’s rewards program, which offers discounts and the ability to earn free products.

ATM available, cashless ATM available with debit card. Discounts available for seniors and veterans. 

One of Chicagoland’s largest dispensary chains has opened a third location in the former Herbal Care Center, a convenient option for people seeking cannabis products in and around UIC, the Medical District, Pilsen and Douglas Park. A sprawling menu of more than 1,000 different products, many with different sales, bundles or discounts, means more opportunities to experiment and find the perfect strain for however you want to feel and whatever you want to do. 

ATMs available on-site. Discounts available for veterans, seniors, college students, individuals with SSDI, youth caregivers and first-time visitors.

If it’s been a few years since you’ve puff puff passed or you still don’t understand the ins and outs of legalization in Illinois, let Mission Dispensary be your guide. Employees of the South Chicago shop illuminate the path for newcomers—they’ll show you your choices and tailor an experience for you without judgment. They’ve got everything you need to get started, too, from rolling papers and lighters to pipes and bongs.

ATM available, payments accepted through cash or Aeropay. Discounts available for veterans, students and teachers.

Nestled amongst the restaurants and bars that line Randolph Street in the West Loop, Nature’s Care stocks everything from THC-infused lotions and Mindy's s'more chocolates to individual pre-rolls galore. But perhaps most noteworthy is the company’s Community Benefits Agreement with the Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition, which aims to provide jobs and training for disproportionately impacted individuals as well as source products and services from BIPOC-owned businesses.

ATM available; discounts available for veterans.

Building on the success of its original Andersonville location, Dispensary 33 has joined the growing number of spots to buy weed in the West Loop. You can only purchase recreational products at this location, many of which you'll find on display in glass cases throughout the space (which is a bit more sparse than its mural-lined counterpart up north). Still, you can't argue with the convenience of a dispensary located just a few blocks away from some of the city's best restaurants, including spots like J.P. Graziano Grocery, Momotaro and Girl and the Goat. Don't forget to create a Dispensary 33 account before you show up to shop!

ATM available

This Chicago-based cannabis company changed its name from NuMed to NuEra in 2020 as a way to mark the new era of weed in Illinois and welcome recreational users. The cozy but sleek shop services both medical and adult-use clients. NuEra stocks an abundance of vape cartridges and pens as well as edibles (think gummies, chocolates and cookies), but there’s always plenty of flower to choose from, too. Easy online pre-ordering is available for both medical and recreational, in case you just want a quick jaunt to the weed store while running your other errands.

ATM available

Situated in the heart of Greektown, the first Chicago location of national dispensary chain Zen Leaf sells recreational products out of a sleek space lined with display cases. Guests can order everything from flower to tinctures online, over the phone or at the counter—make sure to ask about the latest bundle deals and weekly specials if you want to save a few bucks. Discounts are available for SSI users, veterans, students and seniors.

ATM available

The second Chicago outpost of national cannabis conglomerate Cresco Labs' retail brand, this recreational-only River North location makes it easy to pick up weed if you're traveling from the Loop. With products on display in the space, there's more opportunity to browse here—though you're also able to do your shopping through Sunnyside's virtual marketplace and pick up your order. You'll find an array of flower, vapes, tinctures, pre-rolled joints and edibles (including Mindy Segal's popular line of gummies) available for purchase, along with an approachable staff that is beyond happy to answer any questions you may have.

ATM available, debit cards accepted. Discounts available for veterans, seniors, SSDI users, students, teachers, industry professionals and first-time customers. 

Perhaps this Norwood Park dispensary’s biggest selling point is the fact that it’s located a block away from Superdawg Drive-In, making it easy to stock up on shatter and Chicago dogs in the same trip. (Just wait until you get home to dip into your supply.) Consume Cannabis Company operates shops in Illinois, Michigan and Arizona, and prides itself on education above all else. That means that the crew behind the counter is expertly trained to point you in the right direction and help you get to know the product you’re buying and the effects it will have on your body.

ATM available. Discounts available for seniors and veterans.

Ascend's River North location is dedicated to recreational cannabis sales, housed in a large Ohio Street storefront that’s lined with cases filled with products and televisions that display close-up photos of buds. You can get a feel for what’s on offer before you even reach the counter, though employees are always happy to help and answer any questions. The biggest perk of this downtown dispensary might be the free on-site parking, making it easily accessible to drivers arriving via the Ohio Street exit on I-90/94.

ATM available, cashless ATM available with debit card. Discounts available for seniors and veterans. 

Located a few blocks north of Midway International Airport, this dispensary set down roots in the community long before recreational weed was legalized in Illinois. The no-frills shop still maintains a strong medical customer base, but everyday tokers are welcome now, too. Shop a curated selection of topicals (lotions, patches and oils) and edibles (chocolates, tonics and mints) before you start exploring the more expansive supply of flower. 

Cash or debit card only; ATM on-site. Discounts available for veterans and seniors.

Jefferson Park’s Columbia Care dispensary is now Cannabist, and with the new name comes an additional 1,700 square feet of retail space to explore, along with an extensive inventory of medical and adult use products, including everything from flower to topicals. Cannabis connoisseurs have given the dispensary “high” marks for its knowledgeable and attentive customer service. Pro tip: Don’t forget to pick up some pastries from Ideal Bakery across the street while you’re there. 

Accepts cash and debit cards; ATM on-site. Discounts available for seniors, veterans, SSDI users, as well as patrons’ birthdays.

While it lacks the sleek design and bells and whistles touted by other Chicago dispensaries, Maribis offers all of the cannabis products you’d expect to find at a dispensary. Selling to medical and recreational customers, the Archer Heights dispensary is one of the few places you can pick up flower, edibles and concentrates on the city’s Southwest Side—you can even place an order online for pickup.

Cash-only, ATM on-site.

Cannabis titan PharmaCann adds another location to its empire in River North, with a well-organized, clean space steps from the Chicago Red Line and with free parking available. Verilife offers hundreds of products for medical and adult use, and friendly budtenders can recommend what strain goes best with you taking your cousins from Indiana to the nearby Giordano’s. 

Accepts cash and debit cards; ATMs available