Yes. Champaign is home to some of the licensed marijuana dispensaries in Illinois. Cannabis is legal in Illinois for medical and recreational purposes, and so is its sale. Recreational marijuana dispensaries became widespread in Illinois following the legalization of adult-use cannabis through the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, a law that took effect in January 2020. The Act made the consumption and purchase of recreational marijuana by adults 21 years and over in the state legal and made provisions for licensing dispensing organizations (cannabis dispensaries). Champaign adopts Section 10.5-2 of the Champaign Code of Ordinances to allow the establishment of adult-use cannabis dispensaries within the city limits in line with the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
Yes, there are medical cannabis dispensaries in Champaign. Illinois enacted the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act in 2013 to legalize medical cannabis for patients with approved debilitating medical conditions. The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act authorized the establishment of the Illinois Medical Cannabis Registry Program to allow qualified patients access to medical cannabis through state-licensed medical cannabis dispensaries. Some of these licensed medical marijuana dispensaries operate in Champaign, serving registered patients with state-approved debilitating conditions.
Yes, Champaign residents can order cannabis online from dispensaries that offer online sales services. However, it is illegal to deliver cannabis in the mail in Illinois to local addresses. As a result, consumers can only pre-order cannabis from online dispensaries in Champaign with either in-store pickup at the dispensaries or curbside pickup.
Depending on the marijuana use, a person needs either a valid government-issued photo ID or an Illinois medical marijuana card when visiting a cannabis dispensary in Champaign. Generally, dispensaries in Illinois, including those in Champaign, scan customers' IDs before entering their shops to differentiate between Illinois residents and out-of-state visitors; this determines the amount of marijuana a person can buy.
While at the dispensary, the customer needs to inform the attending dispensary employee whether they are buying marijuana for medical or recreational purposes. At this point, the employee will walk the customer through their products and assist them in determining what is best for them, depending on their marijuana needs. Because of the federal ban on marijuana, hence limited banking services, customers should bring some cash when visiting dispensaries in Champaign.
Some Champaign cannabis dispensary laws are listed below:
Per Section 10.5-10 of the Champaign Code of Ordinances, no cannabis dispensaries must operate within the city without obtaining a license to sell cannabis
Section 10.5-7 of the Champaign Code of Ordinances prohibits weed dispensaries from selling cannabis paraphernalia to anyone under 21
According to Section 10.5-5 0f the Champaign Code of Ordinances, it is illegal for a dispensary in Champaign to sell, give, or deliver adult-use cannabis to persons younger than 21
Dispensaries may only sell cannabis products obtained from Illinois-registered cannabis craft growers, cultivation centers, or other state-licensed dispensaries
Dispensaries must not sell products containing alcohol, except tinctures whose containers must not be larger than 100 milliliters
A dispensary in Champaign must not be located within 1,500 feet of a pre-existing marijuana dispensary unless the licensee is a social equity applicant
It is illegal for a Champaign dispensary to sell clones or other live plant materials
Recreational marijuana is only available to adults 21 years and older in Champaign, subject to certain limits. Consumers may only purchase or possess up to a certain amount of legal cannabis. Possession beyond the state-approved limits is an offense that attracts severe penalties. Also, the home cultivation of marijuana plants for recreational use is currently prohibited in Champaign. Any adult-use cannabis not purchased from a licensed dispensary in the city is considered illegal.
Medical marijuana is legal in Champaign but is subject to certain laws. Unlike adult-use cannabis, Illinois medical marijuana cardholders in Champaign can grow up to five marijuana plants at home for personal, medical use. Registered cannabis patients may only possess up to a certain limit of medicinal cannabis at a time. It is illegal for patients to consume medical cannabis in any vehicle or drive while under the influence of marijuana.
Champaign residents with Illinois-approved debilitating conditions for medical cannabis treatment can get the state's medical marijuana by applying online using the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System. To begin with, they must create an account by selecting the MCPP Patient Registration tab on the tracking system. Once registered, they can proceed with their application for an Illinois medical marijuana card using the same cannabis tracking system. Applicants must have the following handy when completing the online form:
A certification from a licensed physician stating they have a qualifying condition
Proof of residency in Illinois
A recent passport photo
The Application Resources provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) include instructions on how Champaign residents can apply for an Illinois medical registry card and the Registry Card Fees Schedule.
In Champaign, it is legal to consume marijuana in private residences and select entities with an on-site consumption license. It is illegal to consume cannabis in public in Champaign.
Cash, a valid government-issued photo identification card, and/or an Illinois medical registry card are all required to buy cannabis at any licensed dispensary in Champaign.
Medium-quality cannabis costs about $290 per ounce in Champaign, while consumers buy high-quality weed at an average of $351 per ounce.
Some of the most popular cannabis strains in Champaign are Motorbreath, Ice Cream Cake, Jet Fuel, Green Line OG, and Lemon Cake.
No. In line with Illinois marijuana laws, Champaign prohibits smoking marijuana in public. Public places include parks, streets, and areas around licensed dispensaries.
Cannabis patients in Champaign with Illinois medical registry cards may possess up to 2.5 ounces (or 71 grams) of medicinal cannabis within any 14-day period. However, a patient can possess more than this limit if they have a written statement from their doctor stating why the 2.5 ounces limit is not adequate for the patient's medical condition.
The table below illustrates the legal possession limit for recreational weed in Champaign:
Cannabis Type | Illinois Permanent Residents | Non-Residents |
---|---|---|
Marijuana-infused Products | 500 milligrams of THC | 250 milligrams of THC |
Cannabis | 30 grams | 15 grams |
Marijuana Concentrate | 5 grams | 2.5 grams |
No. Shipping cannabis into Champaign through the state line is illegal and a federal offense.
Yes, residents of Champaign can order cannabis online from licensed dispensaries with online menu options. However, customers must pick up their orders at the dispensary or curbside.
No dispensary may operate for 24 hours daily in Champaign. According to Illinois marijuana laws, licensed dispensaries may only operate daily between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Yes, tourists 21 years and older (with valid government-issued IDs) can use dispensaries in Champaign to obtain adult-use cannabis, but out-of-state medical cannabis patients cannot buy medical cannabis within the city.
Yes. No Champaign dispensary will allow a customer into their outlet without checking the customer's government-issued ID or an Illinois medical marijuana card.
The two licensed dispensaries in Champaign at the moment are NuEra and Sunnyside. The best among these two can be determined by looking up customer reviews on their website.
Yes, cannabis dispensaries scan customers' IDs in Champaign to verify their age and determine whether they are Illinois residents or non-residents.
Two of the licensed marijuana dispensaries in Illinois serve the cannabis needs of Champaign residents. One serves medical and recreational users, while the other serves recreational users exclusively.
Dispensaries in Champaign cannot take credit cards because of the ban on marijuana at the federal level.
Residents can shop at separate/multiple dispensaries on the same day in Champaign. However, they cannot purchase more than their possession limits.
Dispensaries in Champaign do not take health insurance because health insurance cannot cover cannabis; marijuana is federally banned.
Champaign dispensaries track the quantity of cannabis consumers buy and are expected to report each sales transaction at the time of cannabis sale.
Medical marijuana patients with Illinois medical registry cards can enter dispensaries in Champaign at 18.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is the state agency regulating cannabis activities in Illinois, including Champaign. The IDFPR's contact information is maintained on its website.
Reports of illegal marijuana activities in Champaign can be filed with the IDFPR by calling 1 (888) 473-4858 or contacting the Champaign Police Department at (217) 351-4545 or (217) 333-8911.