Beginning Jan. 1, recreational marijuana officially became legal in the state of Illinois, and dispensaries raked in over $3 million on the first day of sales.
Turnout remained high in the coming days, with nearly $11 million in sales reported in less than a week. The turnout in the first days of sales has resulted in some dispensaries selling out of supplies and forcing temporary closures until they are restocked.
As the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1, Illinois became the 11th state to allow the purchase and use of recreational cannabis by adults. Currently, the state is only approving recreational licenses for existing medical cannabis dispensaries. However, more dispensaries are expected later this year when the state begins issuing licenses for new business owners.
