The Illinois adult-use hashish market opened for enterprise on New 12 months’s Day 2020 to crowds of hundreds who lined up earlier than dawn in Chicago for an opportunity at being among the many first to buy hashish from a licensed dispensary. In complete, almost 77,000 prospects spent $3.2 million on the primary day of leisure gross sales in Illinois. Since then, the market has solely grown in recognition with adult-use hashish gross sales surpassing liquor sales in 2023 by $140 million.
With about two dozen licensed leisure hashish dispensaries unfold throughout a metropolis with 2.6 million residents and almost 50 million annual vacationers, many Cook dinner County outlets can flip a revenue with minimal effort. However among the many dispensary homeowners who wish to earn greater than their fair proportion of the Windy Metropolis’s ample hashish income, the kind of aggressive spirit that drives buyer satisfaction and loyalty is alive and properly.
To assist establish the choose outlets vying for recognition as one of the best Chicago dispensary, we scoured via standard hashish trade and mainstream assessment platforms together with Google, Leafly, Yelp, and Weedmaps. In deciding on our closing checklist, we accounted for the whole assessment rating, variety of critiques, and robust marks seen throughout a number of assessment websites.
Whereas motivations for a assessment can fluctuate between a genuinely distinctive expertise and a want for a small low cost, the result’s typically the identical—repeated public recognition that stays on-line for months if not years to come back. The next 9 dispensaries in Chicago have every discovered methods to encourage prospects to share a constructive expertise on their assessment platform of selection, offering a roadmap of pleased buyer experiences for dispensary homeowners and managers in any market to contemplate following.
Multistate operator
- Google: 4.9 (1,000 critiques)
- Leafly: 4.8 (95 critiques)
- Yelp: 4.9 (1,000 critiques)
- Weedmaps: 4.9 (54 critiques)
With an operational presence in 14 states, Curaleaf is without doubt one of the most widely known hashish manufacturers within the nation. And whereas the phrase “excessive amount” can really feel dangerously synonymous with “low high quality,” that doesn’t appear to be the case for Curaleaf—a minimum of not this Melrose Park location.
There’s nothing clearly distinctive concerning the North Avenue dispensary, given it was modeled to imitate the remainder of the nation’s Curaleaf areas in look, really feel, and obtainable hashish merchandise. As a substitute, Melrose Park seems to shine for its customer support, which reviewers have described as type, welcoming, and keen to assist.
Regulars additionally report the situation appears to have one of the best and most regularly occurring offers and reductions within the space—the truth is, they contemplate it the best-priced dispensary in Chicago—and easy-access parking is at all times a plus in an enormous metropolis.
Multistate operator
- Google: 4.7 (3,300 critiques)
- Leafly: 4.9 (896 critiques)
- Weedmaps: 4.7 (444 critiques)
Like Curaleaf each in title and vibe, Zen Leaf operates in 12 states as a dependable and easy-to-recall model. Pilsen residents who name Zen Leaf one of the best dispensary in Chicago like their neighborhood location for its “pleasant and courteous” employees, all kinds of merchandise, and an excellent wider number of offers.
In line with the critiques, Zen Leaf Pilsen appears to have a reduction for each buyer persona: first-time guests, veterans, youth caregivers, seniors, greater training college students, and people with social safety incapacity insurance coverage. The store additionally presents a strong rewards system that prospects can redeem all through the state.
Multistate operator
- Leafly: 5.0 (112 critiques)
- Weedmaps: 4.8 (86 reviews)
Curaleaf returns to the checklist with its Northbrook store, a sprawling, high-ceilinged constructing situated at 755 Skokie Blvd. Locals say they love the area for its polished, woody and heat really feel, which probably enhances its huge product choice and evokes prospects to take their time.
Reviewers laud the situation’s nice customer support, product selection, handy parking, and “finest dispensary offers in Chicago.” It’s additionally acknowledged by its regulars for being smooth, spacious, and at all times clear. One of many smartest issues this Curaleaf dispensary does is supply a 15-percent low cost on prospects’ first three orders. By encouraging prospects to return thrice as a substitute of counting on a bigger first-time deal, the store is establishing model loyalty, whether or not the shopper is acutely aware of it or not.
Multistate operator
- Google: 4.6 (1,100 critiques)
- Leafly: 4.9 (289 critiques)
One other standard MSO is The Cannabist, beforehand often called Columbia Care. The recoined dispensary chain markets itself as a “greater customary” for merchandise, customer support, and client training. The model earned recognition as considered one of mg‘s Main Business Employers in 2021, largely because of its nationwide operations.
The Cannabist’s emphasis on non-intimidating training appears to be the key of its success. On-line reviewers give it excessive scores for attentive customer support, a radical breakdown of merchandise, and a seemingly real want to assist. The one criticism this location will get is for its lengthy wait time, which additionally speaks to The Cannabist’s excessive recognition.
Multistate operator
- Google: 4.9 (3,600 critiques)
Verilife operates in six states, and River North ranks as one of many model’s most favored areas. Reviewers get pleasure from this dispensary’s spacious setup, product combine, and talent to take a look at via private kiosks for an in-and-out, bank-like service expertise. The store presents all kinds of crowd-favorite manufacturers, like Cookies, Cresco, Flower by Edie Parker, and extra.
Impartial operator
- Leafly: 4.7 (832 critiques)
Chicagoans rank EarthMed on the pricier finish of the hashish retail spectrum, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an area favourite for its educated, eager-to-help employees and high-quality choices. Reviewers assume that EarthMed does a superb job prioritizing medical and leisure guests, guaranteeing everybody’s wants are fulfilled with all questions addressed. The store additionally retains a detailed tab on social fairness efforts, providing varied initiatives and applications all year long to help a good trade.
Impartial operator
- Google: 4.7 (2,400 critiques)
In line with customers, one other probably the greatest dispensaries in South Chicago, IL is Mission Dispensary, an area staple with an uncovered brick, urban-like inside, and a laid-back vibe. Reviewers declare Mission Dispensary tends to have all the latest merchandise earlier than any of its rivals: a strong, credibility-boosting fame to have within the Chicago hashish scene.
Whether or not it’s the primary to interrupt new drops or not, Mission actually presents all the naked requirements—flower, pre-rolls, edibles, tinctures, vapes, concentrates, topicals, and equipment—together with branded attire so pleased prospects can transfer about as strolling commercials after making a purchase order, in the event that they so please.
Impartial operator
- Google: 5.0 (314 critiques)
- Yelp: 5.0 (4 critiques)
Acknowledged as one of the best downtown Chicago dispensary by avid reviewers, Karma Membership is an unbiased operator targeted on social fairness and neighborhood outreach. The inside alone will assist present why it’s some of the regularly visited weed dispensaries in Chicago. Touted as a “sanctuary for newcomers,” Karma Membership is approachable, colourful, and enjoyable. Clients really feel like they’re hanging out with new buddies, and testing some cool Chicago hashish merchandise within the meantime.
Based mostly on its common neighborhood occasions, offers, and particular presents—like budtender-recommended product bundles or “Voice of the Buyer” suggestions surveys—it’s clear that Karma Membership is dedicated to its neighborhood and decided to know its distinctive wants. The web site options quite a lot of product spotlights to usually educate customers on the most recent choices. Mission additionally rolls out restricted seasonal merchandise to draw hype with examples together with infused lozenges and sizzling cocoa for chilly and flu season.
Continuously requested questions on hashish in Chicago
How a lot can you buy a dispensary?
Residents of the State of Illinois might buy and possess 30 grams of hashish flower, 5 grams of focus, and 500mg of edibles. In line with state regulation, non-residents are restricted to buying and possessing 15mg of hashish flower, 2.5mg of concentrates, and 250mg of edibles.
When was hashish legalized in Illinois?
Medical hashish turned authorized in 2013 with the passage of the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. In 2016, Illinois decriminalized hashish by lowering punishment for beneath 10 grams of hashish to a $100 to $200 wonderful from a misdemeanor cost. In 2019, Governor J.B. Pritzker expanded the medical program by including new qualifying situations. In 2019, the Illinois Common Meeting handed the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act that went into impact on Jan. 1, 2020. This system operates beneath the Illinois Division of Monetary and Skilled Regulation.
Do Chicago dispensaries settle for out-of-state medical marijuana playing cards?
No, Illinois doesn’t permit out-of-state medical hashish playing cards, sometimes called reciprocity. Guests from different states who want to buy hashish for medical causes might want to observe the principles and laws of the state’s adult-use program.