Recreational Cannabis

Bloomington-Normal now has six cannabis dispensaries. Ayr Wellness, the latest, on Bradford Lane in Normal next to Moe's Southwest Grill, opened Friday.

The 420 Illinois Festival is being organized by cannabis consulting company Sour Diesel Group. Several other cannabis-friendly festivals have been held since recreational cannabis was legalized in 2020, but, so far, none have been in central Illinois.

Wednesday’s unanimous vote formally initiated a motion to consider amending the zoning rules for the special permits that allow dispensaries.

Next week, the town council will discuss a proposal to widen buffers around schools, daycares, churches and some residential zoning. The proposal also would tighten the state’s 1,500-foot separation rule for dispensaries.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos says a potential campus area grocery store may require both the university and town to help it succeed. And he said Tuesday that a lot more work needs to be done before such a project is ready to move forward.

Normal’s second and third pot shops are good to go, after the Normal Town Council on Monday approved both cannabis dispensary projects.

A cannabis career? More Illinois colleges are offering classes to meet the growing demand for educated pot workers

Social equity craft growers get an extension to open, but financing their facilities is still a hurdle.

Marijuana is too expensive in Illinois, according to Republican state Sen. Jason Barickman of Bloomington, who says he'd support lowering taxes on legal cannabis in the state.

The three candidates for Bloomington mayor agree on the importance of supporting small businesses and encouraging economic development. But they are…