Illinois reports almost $1 billion in recreational marijuana sales so far this year

Medical marijuana card applications up 30% in Illinois during pandemic

Illinois' medical marijuana industry got a big boost last year.

CHICAGO - Recreational marijuana has become a cash cow for Illinois.

The state is reporting $997 million worth of recreational marijuana has been sold so far this year. That far outpaces 2020 when Illinois recreational cannabis businesses raked in $669 million for the entire year.

Nearly $122 million worth of marijuana was sold in September alone.

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Recreational marijuana sales in Illinois hit a record high in July with over $128 million, with Lollapalooza providing a big boost.

Sales were a whopping 10 percent higher than in June.

New Illinois bill would change workplace marijuana rules

State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Highwood) talks about his new bill which would prohibit Illinois workers from getting fired for only having a low-level positive result on a marijuana test.

Dispensaries say the city's largest music festival helped business boom for the last week of the month.

It was the first time weed was legal in Lollapalooza's 30-year-history.

Dispensaries in River North and West Loop say music fans boosted sales 50 percent.