The sale of legal recreational-use cannabis in Illinois has been breaking sales records year after year.
In 2023, cannabis sales brought in more than $1.6 million in revenue, a 15% increase over the prior year. Of that, the state brought in over $400 million in tax revenue.
The state made recreational consumption of the drug legal to adults 21 and over on January 1st, 2020.
However, according to the Marijuana Policy Institute, Illinois’ cannabis tax is the highest in the country, adding 40% to the sale price.
That makes marijuana sold in Illinois the most expensive in the Midwest, and close to the most expensive nationwide.
According to a report on Axios, the U.S. average price for an ounce of marijuana is $256, but in Illinois that average price is $296, outpricing Minnesota ($279), Michigan ($238), and Colorado ($200).
Tax revenue from marijuana sales goes to several state and local programs, including criminal justice, substance abuse treatment, and public health.
