The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) released an informational bulletin for all dispensaries engaged in the business of selling adult use cannabis at retail in taxing jurisdictions that have enacted municipal or county cannabis retailers’ occupation taxes. Effective July 1, 2024, certain taxing jurisdictions have, by ordinance, imposed or changed their Municipal or County Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax on the gross receipts from sales of adult use cannabis. These taxes are in addition to Illinois Retailers’ Occupation Tax on general merchandise (6.25%) and any locally imposed retaile ..read more

It seems Cherry’s time has finally come. Over the past year, I’ve discovered more new strains boasting cherry flavors than ever before. The latest discovery is from craft label Galaxy Labs with its release of Chilled Cherries. I recently stopped into Stash Orland Hills and picked up a sample to review. Chilled Cherries is a hybrid cross of Sunset Sherbert and Cherry Cookies. This batch of flower tested at 1.81% THC, 19.2% THCa, and 21.63% total cannabinoids. Terpenes were 2.08% of the total weight. ILNJ photo This handful of just-larger-than popcorn nugs was consistently turf green througho ..read more

In the latest issues of the Illinois Register and The Flinn Report, Illinois lawmakers, the Illinois Department of Revenue (DOR), and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced Friday a new adopted rule and a proposed rule regarding cannabis infuser license holders. The Flinn Report stated, “DOR also adopted amendments to the Cannabis Cultivation Privilege Tax clarifying that the transfer of cannabis or cannabis concentrate from a cultivator to an infuser, under an agreement whereby the cultivator retains ownership of the cannabis or concentrate and the ..read more

An ever-expanding list of cannabis naming categories seems to exist: fruits, pastries, candies, etc. One of the most fascinating to me is soap, and the newest additions here in Illinois is Zoap, from One Day, which I recently picked up at Stash Orland Hills. Zoap is a hybrid cross of Rainbow Sherbert and Pink Guava. This batch of flower tested at 0.03% CBDa, 0.29% Delta 9 THC, 26.84% THCa, and 27.71% total cannabinoids. Terpenes were 2.209% of the total weight. ILNJ photos These flowers were consistently bright-turf green, except the randomly bunched orange hairs and a dusting of solidly mi ..read more

News Joint Events is scheduled to host the Academic Cannabis Conference (ACC) VIP After Party from 8-10 p.m. Saturday, May 4. The ACC VIP After Party is STAR WARS themed. Any attendee wearing a Star Wars costume will receive a special gift package, and Best Costume Prize Packets will be handed out to two winners. The Garden Grove Event Center, located at 1215 E. Walnut Street in Carbondale, is set to host the ACC VIP After Party. At the party, News Joint Events also will be launching our full Cannabis Bar Service (sponsored by The Botanist) with several new smoking devices to try, as well as ..read more

“Why isn’t everyone doing this?” was my first question when I discovered the Dr. Consalter line of single-serve 100mg gummies. My latest pick up from the line was the Strawberry CBG infused option. Picked up at Consume Marion, Dr. Consalter Strawberry Jemmy Gummy came as a single gummy with 100mg of THC and 50mg of CBG. The ingredients were corn syrup, sugar, water, gelatin, citric acid, artificial flavor, pectin, vegetable oil, carnauba leaf wax FD&C Red #40, THC, and CBG. ILNJ photos The large circular bright red gummy had some weight in the hand, an indication of the dense consistenc ..read more

While credible arguments can be made for many classic strains, I still believe the best way to drop a new label is with new genetics. Ivy Hall shares this belief, dropping three new cuts as part of the dispensary’s new flower rollout. I picked up all three to review at Ivy Hall Peoria and this is Jelly Roll. Jelly Roll is an indica-leaning hybrid cross of Jokerz 31 and Gastropop. This batch of flower tested at 0.75% THC, 24.23% THCa, and 26.18% total cannabinoids. The indicated terpenes were b-caryophyllene, limonene, and b-myrcene. ILNJ photos Five popcorn-sized buds carried a light-tricho ..read more

Green Rose Dispensary is set to host its second annual 420 Sesh Fest Saturday, April 20. The Green Rose 420 Sesh Fest, located at 612 N. Wells Street in River North, is scheduled for 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and will feature a meet and greet with Grammy nominated rapper Vic Mensa. Hosted in the dispensary’s large outdoor parking lot at Wells and Ontario, the 420 Sesh Fest is set to include live DJs, food trucks, Stiiizy tie-dye tent, and vendors, a magic show, fun activities, prizes, and cannabis product discounts. Vic Mensa will host the meet and greet from 3-4:40 p.m. that also will showcase his 93 B ..read more

More than a year ago, I ran across the strain Mexican Flan in Missouri and was instantly intrigued by the cross of two of my favorite cultivars, Animal Mints and Ice Cream Cake. Cookies has finally released the full product line on the Illinois market. I came across the strain as a live resin jelly at Cookies Peoria, so I picked up a gram to review. Mexican Flan is a hybrid cross of Animal Mints and Ice Cream Cake originally, bred by Seed Junky. This batch of live resin tested at 0.26% CBDa, 4.27% THC, 74.84% THCa, and 84.16% total cannabinoids. ILNJ photos This golden amber honey-colored l ..read more

After finishing its Boston conference, NECANN has now shifted to the 2024 Illinois Cannabis Convention. The 4th annual NECANN convention is set for May 31-June 1. For the second straight year, the Schaumburg Convention Center, located at 1551 N. Thoreau Dr. in Schaumburg, is set to host the convention that runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets can be purchased here. Jim Belushi is scheduled to be among the 50-plus cannabis industry-expert speakers. Belushi, an Illinois native, will be sharing experiences and insights from his journey on becoming a commercial cannabis grower an ..read more