The best things to do in Chicago while high
Nearly 60 million people visit Chicago each year, and with cannabis now legal for all adults, many tourists want to know how, when, and where to enjoy the city’s finest weed.
How to find legal weed in Chicago
Download the Leafly app for Android or iPhone. It alerts you to legal cannabis stores near you and allows you to find out what’s on the menu and where the best deals are.
There are no cannabis stores in the Loop thanks to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who banned her from downtown. Fortunately, there are plenty of stores just an L or an Uber away.
Some of the most popular and convenient stores are in the River North neighborhood, including Ascend by MOCA, Sunnyside, and Verilife.
A little further out are Nature’s Care Company, Dispensary 33, and Zen Leaf in the West Loop, while Old Town’s Curaleaf is literally on Weed Street.
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Chicago’s strange weed rules
Illinois cannabis laws are a little different from those in other constitutional states. Most importantly, Illinois residents can legally own up to 30 grams of flowers (just over an ounce), but non-residents can only own up to 15 grams (that’s about four-eighths).
Smoking cannabis in public is illegal. So when you consume, you consume with discretion.
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What to do in Chicago while high
Almost all major tourist destinations are open to you, including Wrigley Field, the Art Institute, The Bean, the original Chess Records store, Second City, and more. However, if you’re looking for a deeper level of 420 friendliness, these local Chicago hosts will show you what really makes the city special.
Chi high tours
If you want to explore Chicago with a 420-friendly guide, James Gordon and his Chi High Tours have a range of high culture offerings. Gordon’s guides and guests drive around the city in luxury (Mercedes or Cadillac, depending on the tour) and explore Chicago’s rich past and present.
Their offers include:
- Classic Cannabis Tour: This is a 3 hour tour of Chicago’s main attractions, with an edible and pharmacy stop of course before the tour.
- Jazz Culture & Cannabis Tour: Immerse yourself in Chicago’s rich musical history on a tour around the Bronzeville and Hyde Park neighborhoods.
- Beer & Bud Tour: Go behind the scenes at one of Chicago’s leading craft breweries and learn about the connections between beer and cannabis.
- Comedy & Cannabis Tour: Tour the city, enjoy cannabis, and watch the evening comedy show at the Laugh Factory.
Canna Cafe Chicago
If you’ve followed the news about Delta-8 THC, you know there is controversy about how legal it is. However, Delta-8 is legal in Illinois for now, and the Canna Café is making the most of it.
Enjoy pizza, wings and burgers, as well as specialties like canna kush fries at this West Loop restaurant. For more information, including opening times and reservations, please visit their Facebook page.
Wake N Bakery
Located in Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood, Wake N Bakery also specializes in Delta-8 and CBD-infused products. The menu includes quesadillas, wraps, muffins, brownies, and made-to-order cakes. The scones are a must-have.
Take your time as you go as you can often find lines waiting to get in, especially when the boys are in town. (Wrigley Field is three blocks away.) For more information, including hours, menu, and specials, visit the website.
Puff Pass & Paint
Would you like to take an all-inclusive cannabis-friendly arts class in Chicago?
Accompany up to 20 students for a relaxed 2-hour session and create various works of art while enjoying weed. If you prefer a private session, you can opt for it too.
Puff Pass & Paint was founded in Denver and prides itself on being the first class of its kind. Profiled by CNN, Time, and the New York Times, this activity is well worth a visit when in town. Get more information here.
Beyond Chicago: More 420-friendly options in Illinois
Cannabis is legal nationwide and there are interesting options beyond the big city. If you want to hike further south, check out these 420 friendly places.
Sesser, IL: Luna Lounge
If you have time for a road trip, check out this cannabis lounge that recently opened in Sesser, Illinois. Luna Lounge is Illinois’s first official cannabis consumption club (as in Delta-9 THC). Servers help customers select consumables and other accessories, some of which you can purchase on-site.
Luna Lounge is strictly BYOW: bring your own weed. The closest cannabis stores are two branches of Consume Cannabis Co. 35 miles south, one in Carbondale and one in Marion.
Luna provides take-away bags so you can take leftovers home with you. The club has plans to feature musical performances, comedians, dancers, and even flight performers, so this place is a must-see if you are in the area.
Galena, IL: Aldrich Guest House
Another road trip option is this 420-friendly bed and breakfast in Galena, Illinois, a small northwestern town about 15 miles from Dubuque, Iowa.
The Potting Shed is a small house on the grounds of the larger Aldrich Guest House. Separated from the main building, enjoy the amenities you would expect from a premium B&B.
Coming soon
As Chicago continues to reopen, be on the lookout for city festivals and outdoor events. One to watch out for is Dispensary 33’s Waldo’s Forever Fest. This Do312 co-sponsored street festival was inspired by a group of high school students who met after school to find weed at 4:20 pm.
The cannabis-themed festival usually features food, music, speakers, and opportunities to learn about weed. Follow her side when the festival comes back in person.
As Illinois continues to grow as a major cannabis hub, cannabis tourism is expected to expand in 2022 and beyond.
More on Chicago’s cannabis scene
Helaine Krysik
Chicago-based author Helaine Krysik is the founder of Illinois cannabis lifestyle brand potinillinois.com.
View article by Helaine Krysik
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