The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced today that recreational cannabis sales totals for March 2025 reached $147,485,559.04. For the second-straight month (and only third time since legalization), March sales totals decreased from the previous year’s monthly … Continue reading →
We talk a lot about the ever-increasing variety of strains on the market, but one unexpected aspect consumers face is the long list of options for vape hardware. I recently crossed paths with a new-to-me format when I picked up … Continue reading →
The Division of Cannabis Regulation today sent out emails for a second notice to those in the Medical Cannabis Patient Program and Opioid Alternative Patient Program about the new online registration portal that will be live Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Continue reading →Illinois News Joint was first introduced to Realeaf Botanicals during the Illinois Craft Showcase in September. The family-owned craft grow had just launched its Skyy and Fyre brands, including the Berry Gelato Disposable Vape and Fyre Hybrid Infused Preroll. Realeaf … Continue reading →
I recently joined The Elevated News Podcast crew (for Episode 86) to discuss the Illinois cannabis industry, along with the News Joint Scholarship fundraiser Texas Hold’em tournament set for May 17. The Elevated News Podcast is hosted by Two Dope … Continue reading →
I’m a big fan of full-spectrum edibles and am encouraged to see more labels producing them. Kiva imprint Lost Farm goes even further, building the entire brand around live-resin and rosin-based edibles. I recently picked up a bag of Raspberry … Continue reading →
I became tired of doughy strains when cookie and pie strains were first making their mark on menus. Thankfully, those times have passed and the dough-heavy cuts we are left with are much more complex and interesting than their predecessors. … Continue reading →
The Division of Cannabis Regulation today sent out emails to those in the Medical Cannabis Patient Program and Opioid Alternative Patient Program stating that it was pleased to announce that a new online registration portal will be live on Tuesday, … Continue reading →
I’ve been looking for an indica strain that will knock me out late at night. A couple years ago, we reviewed Garlic Z by Island, which was one of the last indica that consistently put me to sleep. When I … Continue reading →
News Joint Events invites all Illinois cannabis brands, dispensaries, ancillary businesses, and individuals to participate in the inaugural News Joint Scholarship Fundraiser Texas Hold ‘em poker tournament scheduled for 11 a.m.-8 p.m. May 17 at Emerald Dispensary and Lounge. The … Continue reading →
I’ve never really had Guap, but I am an avid fan of RSO. Verano’s brand Savvy recently launched Guap RSO Gummies in Illinois, utilizing the money theme in appearance and name for its new single-dose edibles. I picked up from … Continue reading →
The Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer (CROO) released a notice for cannabis business establishments in Illinois concerning Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags from Metrc.
Continue reading →Aerīz Full Spectrum Hash Drops have long been near the top of my favorite edibles list. When I heard Aerīz was releasing a line of chocolate truffles using the same formula, I couldn’t wait to review them. Recently, I picked … Continue reading →
Focusing on pre-operational deadlines and extension form, the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Division of Cannabis Regulation announced an extension for (Group 2) Craft Growers. As previously announced on Dec. 28, 2023, because of a number of factors, the operational deadline … Continue reading →
While some cultivators take the time to produce custom art for select strains, Legacy curates one-off bags and jars for its entire lineup. The recent Jahmba Juice release, harkening back to the juice pouches of my youth, caught my eye, … Continue reading →
The Flower Expo Illinois recently released recordings of its Seshes taken during its inaugural Illinois open-consumption cannabis event. The Flower Expo hosted dispensaries, cannabis brands, and budtenders in a packed Sarabande from 12-10 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, and during the … Continue reading →
While most craft labels are expanding by adding new strains, some are adding entirely new categories to their lineups. Craft label Galaxy Labs recently expanded into the world of edibles, so I picked up the Galaxy Labs Apollo Apple Sour … Continue reading →
Incremental progress is often difficult to measure, so throughout my career, I have implemented a 1-year/5-year rule in which I purposely look back at the goals I’ve set and the progress I’ve made (or not) in the past year and … Continue reading →
California native label Bloom is celebrating a decade in business this year. To mark the occasion, Bloom has released a special Apricot Punch flavor, so I picked up the Apricot Punch Surf disposable to review.
Continue reading →Recently, I reached a new high point on miles traveled and vapes used. My latest addition to the list was a Rove Strawberry Cough Pod I picked up to review.
Continue reading →The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today released its March 2025 medical cannabis sales totals. Retail sales of medical cannabis for March reached $22,108,115.88 to outpace January and February totals but was still lower than the last four previous … Continue reading →
The half-gram tank and coil, similar to the 1-gram preroll, has become the torchbearer for an entire product category. While a large portion of the market has moved on to more complex all-in-one or integrated pod systems, a massive selection … Continue reading →
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) finally announced recreational cannabis sales totals for February 2025. After kicking off 2025 with the highest January sales total since legalization, February sales dipped to the lowest monthly total since January … Continue reading →
In Part I of this grow journal, I popped and chopped Squirt by Humboldt Seed Company. Squirt is a sativa-dominant cross (20% Indica 80% Sativa) of Blueberry Muffin and Tangie.
Continue reading →Along with three lemon strains, I popped for this grow cycle Squirt by Humboldt Seed Company. I’d been wanting to grow Squirt for a couple years. I’m a huge fan of orange and fruit flavors and thought this strain would … Continue reading →
In response to requests for additional time, the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Division of Cannabis Regulation announced it has extended the deadline for product registration updates. Licensees now have until July 1, 2025, to ensure compliance with updated product registration … Continue reading →
The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Division of Cannabis Regulation published a notice to inform all licensed transporting organizations about potential modifications that can be made to transporter operation and security plans. First is the ability to operate physical … Continue reading →
Once a strain becomes recognizable by an acronym, it has garnered a following. The latest cut to join this illustrious group has been LCG, Lemon Cherry Gelato, and cultivators have started bringing the hyped strain to Illinois. I recently picked … Continue reading →
Shangri-La Springfield is located at 3128 South Dirksen Parkway in Springfield, Illinois. The retail store opened June 3, 2024, and serves recreational consumers. Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-9 p.m., seven days a week.
Continue reading →It’s no secret that early (especially medically based) cannabis branding was relatively clinical and boring. As the market has matured and competition has increased, though, brands have leaned toward more playful, fun, and overall impactful branding approaches. Illinois newcomer Vapin’ … Continue reading →
