2023 marks the third year since recreational cannabis became legal in Illinois, allowing anyone who is 21 or older to purchase cannabis products for home use. Since then, many influential Chicagoans have gotten into the cannabis game, from chef Mindy Segal and rapper Vic Mensa to, most recently, restaurateur Phil Stefani.
Since legalization began in 2020, dispensaries have been popping up around the city, each stocked with different products and staffed by knowledgeable budtenders who can help you find what you're looking for (kind of like going to a great Chicago wine shop). And with the growth of Chicago's cannabis industry comes even more opportunities to explore the city in a whole new way, from indulging in Chicago's best stoner foods to experiencing the city's best things to do while you're high.
A heads up if it's your first time buying weed in Chicago: Due to state laws, dispensaries are cash-only businesses. Some pot shops have ATMs onsite or have invested in apps that allow you to use a debit card, but it never hurts to have some cash in your wallet (and don't forget to factor in taxes).
Ready to spark up? Here's where you'll find cannabis dispensaries in Chicago.