Adult Use Recreational Cannabis
Illinois state law allows adults over the age of 21 to legally consume, purchase, and possess cannabis, with certain restrictions. The information on this page is provided to help answer many of the questions which residents may have about the consumption of cannabis in the Champaign city limits. Residents may also wish to consult the following resources to learn more about the regulation of recreational cannabis in Champaign and the state of Illinois.
Champaign’s City Ordinances Regarding Recreational Cannabis
- Cannabis Ordinance (Chapter 10.5)
- Zoning Requirements for Cannabis Business Establishments
- Municipal Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax
State Law Legalizing Recreational Cannabis
Informational Video About Adult Use Cannabis
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Champaign City Council has authorized the sale of recreational use cannabis and cannabis-infused products within the Champaign City limits, as outlined in the Champaign Municipal Code. The City of Champaign regulates locations where cannabis businesses can be located through regulations outlined in the City’s Zoning Ordinance. The City of Champaign also taxes the sale of cannabis and cannabis-infused products.
The State of Illinois’ Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act legalizes the possession and private use of cannabis for Illinois residents age 21 and older. This State law created most regulations about consumption and possession of recreational, non-medical cannabis. The City of Champaign has adopted these regulations into its Municipal Code as Chapter 10.5, making them part of the City’s local laws. All State law rules and requirements about consumption of cannabis apply within the City of Champaign.
Consumers were able to buy, possess, and consume cannabis and cannabis-infused products for recreational use from licensed sellers starting on January 1, 2020.
Consumers age 21 and older will be able to buy cannabis products and items of cannabis-related paraphernalia from licensed sellers in Illinois.
At first only medical cannabis dispensaries are able to legally sell cannabis for recreational use. Over time the State of Illinois will grant additional licenses to dozens of new stores, processors, cultivators and transporters. New dispensary locations may open within and around Champaign at a future date.
A person will be able to legally possess 30 grams, or about one ounce, of cannabis flower. The legal limit for cannabis concentrate is 5 grams. The limit for cannabis-infused products, such as edibles, is 500 milligrams of THC, the chemical that gives users a “high.” These limits are considered cumulative.
Adults can consume cannabis in the privacy of one’s own home within the City of Champaign. Use of cannabis in any public place, which is anywhere a person can reasonably be expected to be observed by others, is not allowed by State law or City ordinance.
Cannabis consumption is not allowed:
• In any public place. A public place is anywhere a person could reasonably be expected to be observed by others. This includes but is not limited to sidewalks, parking lots, and parks, as well as buildings and businesses both public and private.
• Inside any motor vehicle.
• On school grounds, including daycares, preschools, primary and secondary schools.
• On colleges and university campuses that have chosen to restrict or prohibit cannabis on school property.
• In a rental unit if the property owner, such as the landlord or homeowner, chooses to prohibit use on their property.
• In a private residence that is used at any time to provide licensed childcare or other similar social service care on the premises.
• In close physical proximity to individuals under the age of 21.
• In close physical proximity to any on-duty school bus driver, police officer, firefighter, or corrections officer.
• Smoking cannabis is prohibited in any location where smoking tobacco is prohibited by the Smoke Free Illinois Act, including hospitals, restaurants, retail stores, offices, and other commercial businesses.
• In any public place. A public place is anywhere a person could reasonably be expected to be observed by others. This includes but is not limited to sidewalks, parking lots, and parks, as well as buildings and businesses both public and private.
• Inside any motor vehicle.
• On school grounds, including daycares, preschools, primary and secondary schools.
• On colleges and university campuses that have chosen to restrict or prohibit cannabis on school property.
• In a rental unit if the property owner, such as the landlord or homeowner, chooses to prohibit use on their property.
• In a private residence that is used at any time to provide licensed childcare or other similar social service care on the premises.
• In close physical proximity to individuals under the age of 21.
• In close physical proximity to any on-duty school bus driver, police officer, firefighter, or corrections officer.
• Smoking cannabis is prohibited in any location where smoking tobacco is prohibited by the Smoke Free Illinois Act, including hospitals, restaurants, retail stores, offices, and other commercial businesses.
Yes. Landlords can establish rules to prohibit tenants from possessing or consuming cannabis in their rental properties.
Yes. Certain activities are prohibited, including:
• Operating, navigating or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat while using or under the influence of cannabis.
• Use of cannabis by a law enforcement officer, corrections officer, probation officer or firefighter while on duty.
• Use of cannabis by a person who has a school bus driver’s permit or a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) while on duty.
• Driving under the influence and reckless driving based on THC impairment may continue to be charged by law enforcement.
• Operating, navigating or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat while using or under the influence of cannabis.
• Use of cannabis by a law enforcement officer, corrections officer, probation officer or firefighter while on duty.
• Use of cannabis by a person who has a school bus driver’s permit or a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) while on duty.
• Driving under the influence and reckless driving based on THC impairment may continue to be charged by law enforcement.
Only if you have a prescription for medical cannabis, and are over the age of 21. Medical patients will be permitted to possess up to five cannabis plants more than 5 inches tall under certain conditions. Cannabis plants must be kept on a resident’s private property away from public view. The growing location must be in a closed and locked space that is reasonably inaccessible by a person under 21 years of age. Those without a medical cannabis prescription and who are under age of 21 are not allowed to grow cannabis at home.
Purchases of cannabis flower or products with less than 35% THC will include a 10% sales tax. Cannabis-infused products, like edibles, include a 20% tax. Products with a THC concentration higher than 35% include a 25% tax. Illinois state law allows municipalities and counties to levy additional local sales taxes. The City of Champaign will impose an additional 3% tax on cannabis and cannabis-infused products sold within the city limits effective July 1, 2020.
The City of Champaign cannot provide individuals with legal advice about expungement. Please review Section 5.2 of the State’s Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act and/or consult an attorney for more information about the State of Illinois’ expungement process.
Drivers with THC blood concentration of five nanograms or more per milliliter (5 ng/ml) are guilty of driving under the influence, regardless of whether the driver is showing signs of impairment. The new state law creates a DUI Task Force, led by Illinois State Police, to examine best practices for roadside testing. The DUI Task Force is to present a report and recommendations on improvements to enforcement of driving under the influence of cannabis to the Governor and General Assembly no later than July 1, 2020
Yes, employers may maintain a zero-drug tolerance workplace and individuals can continue to be drug tested in accordance with an employer’s workplace rules.
Any questions related to Federal regulations should be directed to the proper Federal agencies.
A person cannot possess cannabis in a vehicle not open to the public unless the cannabis is in a reasonably secured, sealed container that is reasonably inaccessible while the vehicle is moving.
No. Cannabis cannot be transported across the Illinois state line.
All information provided on this page is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided on this webpage does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice, and cannot be relied upon as legal advice or as a defense to any proceeding. The information does not cover everything that may be applicable in the law or to any one person’s individual circumstances. Individuals are encouraged to review the State of Illinois’ Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, and to seek personalized legal advice for any specific questions they may have.
