Chicago is the largest city in Illinois. With a population of 8,604,203, Chicago is the third-largest city in the U.S — it is actually bigger than most states!
With so many people, there are naturally a lot of places to buy cannabis products in Chicago — but which ones are worth it?
This article explores what’s available in Chicago, offers up-to-date information on the latest laws, and provides tips on finding the city’s best CBD, delta 8 THC, and marijuana products.
Yes, hemp-derived CBD is entirely legal in Chicago and the state of Illinois.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and hemp products in the United States. This means you can cross state lines with them, as long as your area allows it. You can buy CBD in other states and bring it home with you or order it online and have it shipped to you.
Most, if not all, marijuana shops in Chicago stock CBD products; however, marijuana-derived CBD is illegal to buy without a medical marijuana card, even if the product doesn’t contain THC.
In order to buy CBD without an MMJ card, you need to visit a store that sells hemp-derived CBD or shop online.
Yes, as of 2020, marijuana is legal but regulated in the state of Illinois.
You can visit local dispensaries and buy up to 28 grams (1 ounce) of marijuana legally if you’re over 21.
It remains illegal and punishable with jail time to sell marijuana or marijuana derivatives without first registering with the state (a process that’s notoriously lengthy and expensive).
Yes, delta 8 is legal in Chicago.
It’s had a rough road, but you can buy it there. However, you have to go to a dispensary. It isn’t available, legally, outside of those places — which isn’t a bad thing.
Most local places don’t test their products, which puts you at risk.
A better source is to order delta 8 THC online instead. There are plenty of reputable delta 8 companies that ship to Chicago.
Our favorite brands at the moment are Area 52, Finest Labs, 3 Chi, Binoid, and Delta Extrax.
The alt cannabinoid market has exploded, and now dozens of unique cannabinoids are showing up faster than we can really study them.
A few popular examples include HHC, THCP, THCC, THCV, THC-O, CBDV, and delta 10 THC but are any of these legal in Chicago?
Based on Illinois regulators’ stance on delta 8 THC, it’s likely these other THC-derivatives are also legal.
THC-O, THCP, delta 10 THC, and HHC are all synthetically derived and likely illegal in the state of Illinois.
Please note: We update this list periodically, but laws change rapidly, and our information may be out of date when you read it.
Since CBD and marijuana are both legal in Chicago, there are a ton of dispensaries where you can buy them.
Here’s a list of some of the most popular dispensaries in Chicago:
CBD stands for cannabidiol — it’s one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis. CBD is completely non-psychoactive and does not get you high.
There are tons of health benefits associated with CBD, with more being discovered every day. Here are a few of the top ways CBD can help.
One of the best-known uses of CBD is for pain relief. It works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS for short), which regulates the body.
By targeting a specific set of neurons in the central nervous system, CBD can dull the transmission of pain before it reaches the brain, thus reducing perceived pain.
Related: Best CBD Oil For Pain.
Research shows CBD oil benefits individuals experiencing high levels of stress. It does this through a similar mechanism used to combat pain. By regulating the nervous system, CBD can reduce hyperactivity that causes the physical manifestations of stress and anxiety.
Related: Best CBD Oil For Anxiety.
CBD oil may benefit people suffering from seizures by regulating neural pathways, reducing the seizure’s intensity.
There are two FDA-approved cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals for treating epilepsy that use either synthetic CBD (Epidoliex) or a combination of naturally-extracted CBD and THC (Sativex).
CBD oil can also help those with insomnia and other sleep disorders by regulating the REM cycle. REM (rapid eye movement) is a sleep stage that’s critically important for “routine maintenance” of the nervous system.
Specialized neurons called neuroglia are more active at night, especially during REM sleep. They repair damaged neurons and may play a key role in memory consolidation.
CBD oil works as an effective treatment for nausea, particularly in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. It does this by directly interacting with the parts of the brainstem that control nausea.
Because CBD oil interacts with the ECS, it may help reduce inflammation and associated pain resulting from arthritis and joint pain. Researchers believe CBD works by suppressing the production of cytokines — chemicals involved in pain signaling between cells.
You can legally order CBD online or at your nearest dispensary. Marijuana and delta 8 are available locally but cannot be purchased online due to regulations unless the vendor is inside Illinois. Laws can change rapidly, so pay attention to your state and city laws.
In the meantime, Chicago residents have many options to choose from, so take advantage of Illinois laws and the wide array of cannabinoids available.