Recreational marijuana is formally authorized throughout Illinois right now. Pot fans trying to get their first style of authorized weed right now can anticipate lengthy strains and restricted provides at dispensaries.
Our journalists Tom Schuba, Rachel Hinton and Ashlee Rezin might be reporting from dispensaries in Chicago and the encircling suburbs. Follow them on Twitter and examine again right here all through the day for our dwell protection.
6 a.m. Recreational weed gross sales kick off
Shortly after 6 a.m. Wednesday, Renzo Mejia walked into Chicago’s Dispensary 33 and, after perusing a menu, purchased an eighth of an oz of Motorbreath.
With that, the West Loop resident made the primary authorized buy of leisure marijuana on the Uptown dispensary and have become one of many first individuals within the metropolis — and presumably state — to take action.
As quickly because the order processed, a cheer permeated by way of the small showroom flooring and workers and prospects embraced.
“To be able to have [recreational marijuana] here is just mind-boggling,” mentioned Mejia. “ … To be able to now make the first purchase in Chicago it’s just surreal.”
Outside, the place Mejia lined up at 11:30 p.m. to be the primary in line, the environment across the retailer was completely jovial. As passing drivers rooted their horns and supplied help, some individuals ready couldn’t maintain again their enthusiasm.
“Guys we’re making history, right here in Illinois,” one lady shouted.
“Weed is legal,” one other lady cheered.
The line of about 500 stretched down the block and a faint odor of pot lingered within the air because the bundled lots waited to get inside.
About 500 individuals lined up exterior Dispensary 33 to be among the many first to purchase leisure pot in Illinois.Tom Schuba/Sun-Times
Mejia — who works for Verano Holdings, a pot firm primarily based on the Near North Side — has labored in Illinois’ hashish trade since medical weed was made authorized and needed to be a part of the historic day.
JJ Bloomquist, of Rogers Park, arrived about 15 minutes later and spent the following hours making associates with the opposite of us biding their time.
Like Mejia, Bloomquist mentioned he needed to be part of the historic event. However, he’s not an enormous weed person.
“I will occasionally take a toke,” he mentioned. “I used to smoke it when I was younger, but I don’t really partake.”
Customers peruse the choices at Dispensary 33.Tom Schuba/Sun-Times 6 a.m. Customers line up exterior Sunnyside in Lake View 
Customers line up on the Sunnyside hashish dispensary in Lake View.Brian Rich/Sun-Times 
Customers wait exterior Sunnyside in Lake View.Brian Rich/Sun-Times 
Customers braved the chilly exterior Sunnyside dispensary in Lake View to get an opportunity to be among the many first to purchase leisure pot in Illinois.Brian Rich/Sun-Times
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