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Last Updated on June 23, 2023 by Team Spinfuel
In Chicago, cannabis has become a cultural phenomenon. The awareness that people now have of its health benefits has made many curious. They realize that this isn’t a substance like heroin that can ruin your life with an almost impossible-to-beat addiction. Quality Weed is more important than ever now.
Cannabis is far less addictive and, in recent years, has also been recommended by doctors as a treatment for several health issues. Before we dive into the different ways that you can buy cannabis in Chicago, here are a few mind-blowing statistics.
Did you know that since the legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois, the state has experienced a cannabis market boom like never before? In 2020 alone, recreational cannabis sales reached $669 million. By 2021, that figure hit $1.38 billion, and by the end of last year, the market reached $3 billion.
Everyone is buying weed these days, so without further ado, let’s explore the different ways that you, too, can find some in Chicago.
1: Quality Weed at Brick and Mortar Dispensaries
Ever since the state of Illinois decriminalized cannabis in 2020, dispensaries have become the go-to for individuals seeking access to high quality weed. Popular dispensaries like nuEra in Chicago found themselves serving countless customers who were now free to legally purchase the substance.
According to nuEra Cannabis, getting a medical card is highly recommended. A medical card gives new members a $100 discount (within 30 days of registration) and lower sales tax during purchases.
In terms of purchase limits, 30 grams (1.05 ounces) is the maximum you can buy, but medical cardholders can buy larger amounts of high quality weed.
Even though cannabis is legal in the state, you should still be careful. If you get caught by the police for possession over the legal amount, you are looking at a year in jail and a fine of $2,500 for your first offense. Subsequent offenses turn your misdemeanor into a felony, which will now get you up to three years in jail, along with a maximum fine of $25,000.
2: Online Dispensaries
Online weed dispensaries have revolutionized the way people purchase cannabis products, not just in Chicago but in other states where cannabis has been legalized. Finding quality weed, including edibles, dabs, and prerolls, is getter better and easier.
One of the key advantages of online dispensaries is the extensive product selection you can find. You are able to browse through various strains, pre-rolled joints, edibles, concentrates, tinctures, topicals, all high quality weed from the best sources.
With the high crime rate in the city, it isn’t surprising that a lot of people feel safer and prefer to shop online.
Shopping online is fun, but it’s important to remember that federal laws still apply. Thus, ordering online across state lines is going to be tricky. Besides this aspect, though, online dispensaries are super convenient.
The security of transactions is naturally one of the biggest plus points. The transaction occurs securely, ensuring customer information remains confidential.
Packaging is often discreet, with no obvious branding or labeling that would reveal the contents to nosy neighbors. As you can imagine, this is highly valued by those who prefer to keep their cannabis habit discreet.
Buying online also has several other advantages besides the safety factor. For one, you can find detailed information on potency, effects, and recommended usage, directly on the site. With a brick-and-mortar dispensary, you would be limited to asking an employee who may not be educated about the specific product in question.
This access to detailed information allows more discerning customers to choose products that match their specific needs. Finally, with online dispensaries, you also benefit from product reviews left by previous customers.
3: Personal Connections
Until recently, purchasing quality weed or not, from mutual connections has been the primary method for most people. This was necessary due to cannabis not being readily available through legal or official channels. However, even with the legalization of cannabis in Chicago, a lot of people still prefer the old-school method.
Buying weed through personal connections often involves a more informal and personal transaction compared to purchasing from a licensed dispensary or delivery service.
Yes, the relationship with your dealer is crucial. You need to have confidence in the quality and consistency of their products. For a lot of people, this is part of the charm. Buying cannabis in this manner is often the result of relationships made during younger years, from purchasing weed through friends.
This method does have some drawbacks as well. When you purchase through personal connections, you obviously give up the consumer protections and quality control measures that dispensaries might provide. Your experience will depend on the quality of the relationship you have with your dealer.
Key Points
Buying cannabis in Chicago has become relatively easy ever since its decriminalization. Residents can now own 30 grams at a given time and face no criminal charges.
Residents of the city no longer have to purchase weed from sketchy or dangerous drug dealers on the street. They can buy right from legal dispensaries, both offline and online.
Hopefully, decriminalization should lead to a drop in crimes that were previously associated with cannabis sales.
On the flip side, if past trends are any measure of prediction, drug dealers might start offering more potent drugs to make up for the income hit. The long-term consequences of decriminalization are yet to be fully understood.
Further Reading:
50 States, So Where is Cannabis Legal in the United States?
Is Growing Cannabis In Ohio Legal?
How Is Good Commercial Cannabis Grown?
