Review: Infused Chocolate Syrup and Hazelnut Syrup by The Culinary Cannabis Co.
I’ve often said the next frontier for edibles is integration into our day-to-day diet. The Culinary Cannabis Company is taking that bet with a portfolio filled with infused-base ingredients, sauces, and syrups. I recently picked up from The Dispensary Champaign two packs of The Daily Buzz Chocolate and Hazelnut infused coffee syrups to review.
Continue reading →MCAB considers two petitions for qualifying conditions
The Medical Cannabis Advisory Board (MCAB) hosted its April meeting today to discuss and vote on a recommendation for adding Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) to the conditions eligible for a medical cannabis registry identification card in Illinois. After three presentations from experts in the field, all board members in attendance vote yes to recommend adding SCD, except for Dr. Gunar Subieta, who abstained.
Continue reading →Review: Soft Chews by Ozone
Last month, Ascend Wellness Holdings announced a full brand and quality relaunch of its flagship lifestyle brand, Ozone. The relaunch also introduces full-spectrum gummies, macro-dose gummies, new flower strains, and new liquid diamonds and live resin vapes. I picked up from Ascend (Horizon Drive) Springfield a batch of Ozone’s new products to review, including the Guava Kiwi (sativa), Cherry Limeade (indica), and Peach Passionfruit (hybrid) Full-Spectrum Soft Chews.
Continue reading →Cannabis Research Institute opens its Cycle 2 seed funding
The Cannabis Research Institute (CRI) announced that Cycle 2 of its seed funding program opens at 9 a.m. on April 6. This program funds research and community action projects across Illinois that advance cannabis equity. For Cycle 2, CRI especially encourages applications from individuals or organizations with projects focused on populations or geographies outside Chicagoland.
Continue reading →Review: Hall Pass Coffee Break Prerolls by Honor Roll
The brand Honor Roll recently launched in Illinois with three preroll packs: Hall Pass (hybrid), Final Bell (indica), and Get Up (sativa). Honor Roll boasts that this 6-pack of prerolls is packed with 100% top-cut flower. I picked up from Ascend (Horizon Drive) Springfield the Coffee Break Prerolls pack to review.
Continue reading →Illinois House Bill to create On-Premise Cannabis Consumption Act
Late last month, Rep. Jawaharial Williams sponsored House Bill 5731, which would create an On-Premise Cannabis Consumption Act that further regulates cannabis consumption for temporary events or venues in Illinois.
Continue reading →Review: Infused Cream Soda by Keef
While cannabis drinks still seem “new,” at least one established brand has been around more than 15 years. Colorado-based Keef, founded in 2010, came to Illinois via a partnership with Contract Canna. I recently picked up a couple Keef flavors to review, starting with Cream Soda.
Continue reading →Vineyard Accounting expands service for personal tax clients
I am a procrastinator when it comes to my work taxes, but for the last three years, working with Vineyard Accounting has made submitting taxes for Illinois News Joint and my family basically stress-free. This year, Vineyard Accounting has expanded its services and taken on more personal tax clients, like me. So now, individuals in the cannabis industry can also work with Vineyard Accounting.
Continue reading →Frerichs working on banking for cannabis-related businesses
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs recently announced in a press release that the Treasurer’s Office is working with lawmakers at the state and federal levels to bring clarity and predictability to Illinois banking regulations, to protect and support financial institutions that serve cannabis-related businesses, and to design solutions that will boost economic development in the state of Illinois.
Continue reading →Illinois releases last nine months of medical cannabis sales totals
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently released the last nine months of medical cannabis sales totals after launching a new medical cannabis patient registry system on April 29, 2025. IDPH noted in the release of the May 2025 sales totals that “A new Medical Cannabis Patient Registry System was launched. Numbers of patients reported may vary between systems.” On average, the new sales totals were around $6 million less than the totals before … Continue reading →
Review: Strawberry Lemonade High Dose Drink Mix by Vibations
Infused drinks and drink mixes have started to mature as a market segment, reaching towards higher dose options to match consumer preferences. MariMed imprint label Vibations has followed this trend, introducing a high-dose version of its drink mixes. I recently stopped at Thrive Anna and picked up a pack of High Dose Strawberry Lemonade Drink Mixes to review.
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