Looking for a dispensary near you in the Chicagoland area? Look no further. (2024)

If you are a Chicago or Cook County resident looking to outlast a brutal winter or a visitor for a Summertime Chi experience, the marijuana variety in The Windy City and surrounding area is endless. The Chicagoland area is home to over 44 dispensaries, allowing this Midwest hub to responsibly engage in recreational practice.

Chicago and Cook County is entering its third year of statewide legalized recreational marijuana for enthusiasts over 21 years old.

RelatedThe best things to do in Chicago while high

For those looking to enjoy a Chicago session, marijuana must be used in a private space. So, unfortunately, you won’t be able to flick your Bic lighter at Lake Michigan or The Bean, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t explore the plethora of options that keep residents and visitors happy. Be sure to visit these fantastic dispensaries in the Second City.

Highest-rated recreational dispensaries in Chicago

If you are part of the cannabis community that utilizes marijuana for recreational use in Chicago, you are not alone.

Chicago has dispensaries spread across its beautiful city, aiding in the $1 billion in sales the state of Illinois received in its inaugural year of 2020. If you want to test a strain or two, Leafly has located the best dispensaries in Chicago for you.

Looking for a dispensary near you in the Chicagoland area? Look no further. (1)

MedMen

1132 Lake St. – Oak Park, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 star rating out of 312 dispensary reviews

MedMen, located in Chicago-neighboring Oak Park, offers a run of cannabis products and promotions, including deals on cannabis edibles and more.

MedMen features:

  • Extensive stock of luxury cannabis and CBD items
  • Easy 24/7 online ordering system
  • Edibles, flower, topicals available with quality customer service ratings

order from Medmen Oak Park

Curaleaf

1413 W. North Ave – Melrose Park, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 star rating out of 87 dispensary reviews

Curaleaf is an adult-use marijuana shop in Melrose Park, Illinois. A visit to Curaleaf in Melrose Park features a full range of cannabis products from brands like Aeriz, 1906, RYTHM, and more.

One dispensary review on Leafly.com says, “Great location, amazing products. They have a great loyalty system which saves you money! Definitely will keep coming back.”

order from Curaleaf Melrose Park

Looking for a dispensary near you in the Chicagoland area? Look no further. (2)

Zen Leaf

222 S Halstead St – Chicago, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 star rating out of 11 dispensary reviews

Zen Leaf serves trendy West Loop with its range of cannabis products. Operating under the belief that cannabis is the most important medicinal plant on the planet, Zen Leaf aims to promote human health, wellness, and happiness.

Customers rave over Zen Leaf’s knowledgeable and polite staff and security, the inviting aesthetic, and convenient location. Topicals, edibles, and flower are all available at Zen Leaf, in addition to a wide selection of Illinois cannabis brands – making this shop a must-visit.

order from Zen Leaf

Verilife

150 Barrington Road – Barrington, IL

⭐⭐⭐ 3 star rating out of 2 dispensary reviews

This Windy City health hub opened in April 2021. Located in the River North neighborhood, it is near landmarks like the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and the Chicago River.

Verilife offers a range of products, including high-end brands, tinctures, and everyday flower. Once a spot for medical use, only Verilife has expanded to recreational sales and offers filters for shopping, including strength and more.

Verilife features:

  • Reservations for shopping experience and online ordering
  • 15% off every purchase for medical patients
  • Hundreds of different products available during your visit

order from Verilife

Looking for a dispensary near you in the Chicagoland area? Look no further. (3)

Columbia Care

4758 N. Milwaukee – Chicago, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 star rating out of 32 dispensary reviews

Located on Chicago’s North Side, Columbia Care provides recreational shoppers with a specialized menu including brands like DabTabs, Airo, and Good News. One Leafly reviewer left the following positive commentary about Columbia Care:

I always have a fantastic experience at Columbia Care! The front desk staff is super-friendly and the bud tenders have a wealth of knowledge about the products. I recently had the absolute best experience working with Dylan to get what I needed on a VERY tight budget.

He helped me to get the most “bang for my buck” and gave me excellent advice on getting items that are the best quality at the same time. I moved farther away from this dispensary, but I will keep going here because of their extraordinary high level of care and the amazing programs they have in place to help their patients. Thank you Dylan, and everyone else who makes this place great! And thanks to Columbia Care for making it worth it to stay with them.

order from Columbia Care

Looking for a dispensary near you in the Chicagoland area? Look no further. (4)

RISE

9621 N. Milwaukee. – Niles, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 star rating out of 12 dispensary reviews

Further up on Milwaukee Ave from the location of a previous entry on this list, RISE dispensary stocks a wide variety of flower, concentrates, edibles, and more.

Equipped with Illinois’ most popular strains, RISE supplies Niles, IL with lab-tested cannabis products customers can feel good about. RISE provides choices for their customers with easy online ordering and quality in-person customer service.

order from RISE in Niles

Nature’s Care Company

810 W. Randolph. – Chicago, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 star rating out of 6 dispensary reviews

Located on Randolph Street, Nature’s Care Company focuses on a three-point service of having the best product assortment, care, and experience. In addition to providing cannabis, Nature’s Care Company provides resources to under-served communities and citizens across the state, including efforts to support individuals disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.

Nature’s Care Company is nestled in the West Loop neighborhood. Equipped with a highly knowledgeable staff and exquisite selection, Nature’s Care Company aids both the consumer and community, making itself a must-visit shop.

order from Nature’s Care Company

Sunnyside

1739 E Golf Rd – Schaumburg, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 star rating out of 46 dispensary reviews

Priding itself as a “new kind of medical and recreational cannabis dispensary,” Sunnyside focuses on offering marijuana products to increase your general wellness.

An expanded location, Sunnyside offers friendly customer service to their entire product line, including edibles and more. Open daily from 9 am to 9 pm; Sunnyside is a go-to for ease of service in exploring high-quality cannabis products.

Sunnyside features:

  • Wellness products available to customers 7 days a week
  • A brand-new, spacious location with street parking
  • 30% first-time medical patient discount

order from Sunnyside in Schaumburg

Looking for a dispensary near you in the Chicagoland area? Look no further. (5)

HATCH

1500 E Lake Cook Rd – Wheeling, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.1 star rating out of 5 dispensary reviews

One Leafly reviewer gave HATCH in Wheeling, Illinois the following review:

“Hatch is my most frequently-visited dispensary. I like how open it is, the vibe is nice. Some dispensaries feel like a bank or something and this feels professional yet chill. I’ve never had a negative experience here and all the Bud tenders are super nice and knowledgeable!”

order from HATCH in Wheeling

Highest-rated medical dispensaries in Chicago

As the 20th state to support the use of cannabis for medical purposes, Illinois has been the home of dispensaries for nearly a decade. While recreational marijuana became legal in Illinois in 2020, medical use has been present in the land of Lincoln since August 2013.

Following recreational legalization, new dispensaries opened with medical products in their offerings. However, strictly medical marijuana facilities do still exist in Illinois. Survey our list of medical dispensaries available for your use in Chicago.

Looking for a dispensary near you in the Chicagoland area? Look no further. (6)

Verilife

1816 S. Arlington Heights Rd., – Arlington Heights, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 star rating out of 220 dispensary reviews

Verilife’s Arlington Heights branch is a medical-only facility operating under the motto to make patients heal better, feel better, and live better. This location has many different types of cannabis products available including flower, tincture, and vapor.

Since 2018, the Arlington Heights dispensary has been open daily and has availability for both reservations and walk-in appointments to find the essential cannabis product for your wellness.

Verilife features:

  • Discounts for senior citizens, military, and new medical patients
  • Expanded medical menu, in addition to access to recreational cannabis
  • Access to expert staff members to properly guide customers to their needs

order from Verlife

Zen Leaf

1804 Maple Ave – Evanston, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 star rating out of 253 dispensary reviews

Zen Leaf’s Evanston location is close to historic Northwestern University and offers a wide selection of premium cannabis. Patients can save on flower, edibles, extracts, and more with rotating deals and discounts.

While other Zen Lef locations serve all customers over the age of 21, this one is specifically a hub for medical patients.

One review on Leafly reads: “Honestly love how nice they are. The bud is amazing and they go out of there way to throw you deals and make it a great environment. Always come here, you will have a great experience.”

order from Zen Leaf in Evanston

Looking for a dispensary near you in the Chicagoland area? Look no further. (7)

The Herbal Care Center

1301 S. Western – Chicago, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 star rating out of 8 dispensary reviews

Located near the Chicago Medical District, The Herbal Care Center, also known as THC Center, has long served medical cannabis patients in the city.

THC caters directly to medical patients, ensuring access to their services and products during hours of the dispensary’s operation.

The Herbal Care Center features:

  • The largest cannabis inventory in the state of Illinois
  • Rewards program that provides money back after each purchase
  • Tours of the facility and the selection for medical cannabis patients

order from The Herbal Care Center

Columbia Care Illinois

4758 N. Milwaukee – Chicago, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 star rating out of 256 dispensary reviews

Mentioned earlier in this list for its proficiency in serving recreational customers, Columbia Care Illinois’ North Side location provides registered cannabis patients with a surplus of medical-grade products.

Columbia Care comes equipped with a helpful staff that will discover the perfect product for the customer. The dispensary also periodically offers promotions to provide customers with competitive pricing.

order from Columbia Care Illinois

Enlightened

2015 E Euclid Ave – Mount Prospect, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 star rating out of 67 dispensary reviews

Enlightened is designed to assist patients in making informed decisions about their cannabis journey and futures.

One Leafly reviewer says, “Amazing selection, display, staff, and knowledge of the product. Best dispensary I’ve been to in not only NW suburbs, but Illinois.”

order from Enlightened

Nature’s Care Company

975 Rohlwing Rd – Rolling Meadows, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 star rating out of 136 dispensary reviews


Nature’s Care Company features:

  • Dedicated staff members aiming to elevate quality of life
  • Impeccable selection of natural aids for wellness
  • Budtenders trained to accurately pick natural remedies to medical issues

One Leafly review says, “Great dispensary. Rec users can preorder and the wait is not anywhere near competitors’. Wasn’t sure what to get, but the bud tender listened and knew what items I would like. My favorite dispensary in the area.”

order from Nature’s Care Company

Looking for a dispensary near you in the Chicagoland area? Look no further. (8)

GreenGate

7305 N. Rodgers Ave – Chicago, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 star rating out of 60 dispensary reviews

A medical ID is required to shop GreenGate in Chicago’s Rogers Park. This swanky cannabis shop focuses on customer care and leads visitors to the specific product needed. With in-shop and curbside service available, patients can receive an individualized experience before opting for an easy and fast return visit.

One GreenGate review reads: “Personalized, super-friendly service. So relieved when they reopened after their brief pandemic closure. I’ve been to other dispensaries that are a bit fancier, but this small, intimate space and great tunes work really well for me. So many happy patients there, too — it’s a community, not just a retailer. This is my happy place. <3”

order from GreenGate

Looking for a dispensary near you in the Chicagoland area? Look no further. (9)

nuEra Chicago

1308 W. North Ave. – Chicago, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.1 star rating out of 29 dispensary reviews

nuEra took on its name with the desire to usher in a new era of safer and high-quality cannabis. nuEra offers private consultations where staff members can lead a cannabis journey and assist in adequately placing a product in your life. That session can also include inquiries about the medical card application process, specific products, and more.

  • Private consultation on topics ranging from product to medical card registration
  • $100 discount that will cancel the cost of the first year of nuEra membership
  • Extensive online menu to explore products

order from nuEra Chicago

Mission

8554 S. Commercial – Chicago, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 star rating out of 50 dispensary reviews

Residents and visitors to the city’s Southside have an all-in-one dispensary in Mission, where customers can pick up pre-rolls, cartridges, all types of edibles, and even CBD or THC suppositories.

Accessories like tips, papers, and roach clips are also available at this urban shop. Frequent visitors can register for Mission’s point system, leading to money off on a future purchase.

Mission features:

  • One of the Southside’s only dispensaries
  • Online ordering system with immediate processing
  • Welcoming and knowledgeable team

order from Mission – Southside

Windy City Cannabis

1137 175th St – Homewood, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 star rating out of 89 dispensary reviews

Stretching beyond the city limits and into the South Suburbs, Homewood’s Windy City Cannabis reserves its first and last hour of daily operation for medical patients. The mission of this dispensary is to keep medical patients the safest during the pandemic. I

n addition, only medical patients are eligible to receive curbside service. This Chicagoland dispensary focuses on bringing peace to more minds and also advocates for having respect for the communities it serves.

Windy City Cannabis features:

  • One of the South Suburbs most extensive inventories
  • Edibles, cartridges and accessories for both medical and recreational customers
  • Accepts Cash and Canpay

order from Windy City Cannabis

Honorable dispensary mentions in Chicago

Maribis of Chicago

4570 South Archer Avenue – Chicago, IL

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 star rating out of 28 dispensary reviews

The dispensary with our honorable mention in the Chicago area serves as both a medical and recreational dispensary. We’re proud to recognize Maribis of Chicago as an exceptional dispensary in both categories.

Maribis ensures products from licensed cultivators are implemented to better its’ patients and customers’ lives. Some unique features of the experience at Maribis include:

  • Collaboration between staff, patients, and caregivers to ensure proper care
  • Guidance in becoming a caregiver
  • Medical and recreational product offerings

order from Maribis of Chicago

Selection criteria for highly-rated dispensaries in Chicago

To calculate the highest-rated dispensaries in Chicago, our Leafly List team uses a methodology based on quantitative and qualitative review data of dispensaries listed on Leafly in Cook County. This list also uses quality indicators, like customer reorder rates and deals availability (in markets where discounts are legal). Our teams are dedicated to showcasing a wide variety of highly-rated medical and recreational dispensaries.

Remember, if you don’t see your favorite dispensary on the list, make sure you follow, rate, and review your favorite cannabis locations to let the world know where you find your favorite cannabis.

get your dispensary on the Leafly List

Looking for a dispensary near you in the Chicagoland area? Look no further. (2024)

FAQs

Can I go to a dispensary twice in one day Illinois? ›

In Illinois, a medical marijuana patient may visit multiple dispensaries in a single day.

What's the max you can buy at a dispensary in Illinois? ›

The State: In Illinois, recreational users face a per-purchase limit of 30 grams of cannabis flower, 5 grams of concentrates, and 500mg of THC in edibles. Medical patients enjoy higher allowances, with 2.5 ounces every 14 days being the standard.

What's the most you can get from a dispensary? ›

Explained: Under AUMA, California adults 21 years of age and older with a valid, government-issued ID can purchase and possess no more than:
  • 28.5 grams of non-concentrated cannabis.
  • 8 grams of concentrated cannabis.
  • 6 immature cannabis plants per day.

What is the best thing to try at a dispensary? ›

Edibles. If you want a smoke-free way to consume cannabis, edibles are the way to go. Edibles are the most beginner-friendly ways to consume cannabis because of the variety of flavors and various product forms. You can enjoy the effects of cannabis while eating or drinking something delectable.

Do dispensaries share information with the government in Illinois? ›

By law in the state of Illinois, dispensaries are not allowed to share their database. with any government official, including the Illinois State Police. So if you have a void card. and you go to dispensary and buy legal weed, the state police will never know you made that purchase.

Can you go to multiple dispensaries in one day in Mass? ›

There is no limit to how many dispensaries you can visit in one day, but there is a limit on the amount of marijuana products you can purchase.

How much does the average dispensary make in Illinois? ›

Find out what the average Dispensary salary is in Illinois

The average dispensary salary in Illinois is $37,503 per year or $18.03 per hour.

How much does it cost to own a dispensary in Illinois? ›

Additionally, there are costs associated with obtaining a location, leasing or purchasing equipment, hiring staff, and ensuring compliance with state regulations. Estimates for the total cost of starting a dispensary in Illinois can range from $250,000 to over $2 million.

What is an 8th in weight? ›

An eighth refers to a common weight measurement used when selling cannabis. It equates to one-eighth (⅛) of an ounce by weight, which is approximately 3.5 grams.

What sells the most at dispensaries? ›

Flower is the highest grossing item at each of the 13 dispensaries, ranging from 49% of revenue to 81%. Depending on the store, the second highest grossing product is Pre-Rolls, Vapor Pens, and Concentrates.

How much recreational can I buy in MD? ›

Individuals will only be able to purchase up to the personal use amount authorized under law. This amount is up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower (including joints and pre-rolls), 12 grams of concentrated cannabis (vape products), or a total amount of edible cannabis products that does not exceed 750 mg THC.

Are edibles considered concentrate? ›

Concentrates are broken down into two main categories: cannabis concentrates and cannabis edibles .

How much should you tip a budtender at a dispensary? ›

We recommend tipping your budtender the same way you would tip a bartender: around 10 - 20% of your total bill. Why? Budtenders and bartenders are similar when it comes to providing knowledge and customer service.

What is the highest paying job at a dispensary? ›

According to the 2022 Cannabis Industry Salary Guide from Cannabiz Team, the 10 cannabis jobs with the highest median salaries are:
  • Chief Scientific Officer: $235,000.
  • Chief Revenue Officer $222,000.
  • VP of Retail: $215,790.
  • VP of Operations: $213,200.
  • Chief Marketing Officer: $208,750.
  • General Counsel: $203,200.

What should I say in a dispensary interview? ›

Talk about why you're interested in working in the cannabis industry and how you believe in the positive impact it can have. Share any personal experiences or stories that demonstrate your passion. Employers love to see candidates who are excited and genuinely interested in the job.

Can I go to two different dispensaries in one day Colorado? ›

Note that the law doesn't limit the number of dispensaries you can visit in a day in Pueblo West, Colorado. However, the law doesn't allow you to purchase more than an ounce of marijuana daily, including edibles and concentrates.

Can you go to multiple dispensaries in one day in Missouri? ›

Yes, you can visit more than one dispensary in a day.

Can I go to multiple dispensaries in one day in Michigan? ›

Can you go to more than one dispensary a day? Michigan does not limit the number of recreational dispensaries you can buy from in a day. You are free to buy from multiple dispensaries in any given day.

Can you go to multiple dispensaries in one day in Nevada? ›

Can I Visit Multiple Dispensaries in One Day? While you can spread purchases across multiple dispensaries, daily purchase limits still apply. In Nevada, you may not posses more than the stated 2.5 ounces of flower or 7087.381 milligrams of concentrated cannabis at any time.

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