November 13, 2019 – A second North Side location was given the go-ahead to start selling recreational marijuana starting on January 1, 2020.

Dispensary 33, 5001 North Clark Street, was given a license to sell weed for non-medicinal purposes by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The “same site” adult-use license allows an existing medical cannabis dispensary to obtain an adult-use dispensing license.

The other Chicago location given permission last week is in the 4500 block of South Archer Avenue.

In addition to opening adult-use dispensaries at the same site as their medical cannabis dispensaries, existing medical cannabis stores are permitted under the law to open a second site for adult-use sales at a different location.

In the coming months, new applicants, including social equity applicants, will have the opportunity to apply for an additional 75 adult-use cannabis licenses. Social equity applicants – with disadvantages such as an arrest – are eligible for additional points on their application and for technical assistance, low-interest loans, and fee reductions.

Illinois has 55 medical cannabis dispensaries, and all were able to apply for a license to sell recreational marijuana from their existing locations.

The mayor’s office and the Chicago City Council approved rules last month that created seven zones citywide in which retail pot sales would be allowed. Initially, no more than seven dispensaries will be allowed in each zone. Dispensaries will not be permitted along the Magnificent Mile, Loop, or much of River North along the lakefront.