Cannabis Stores in Chicago With Deals: How to Compare Prices

Start with the out-the-door price

A menu price is not the price you pay. Illinois adds a retail cannabis tax on top of the sticker: 10% for flower at 35% THC or below, 20% for flower above 35% THC, 20% for cannabis-infused products, and 25% for infused products above 35% THC. Chicago adds a 3% city tax. State and local sales tax applies too, at about 10.25% in Chicago. An eighth listed at $45 can land near $60 at the register. Compare stores on the out-the-door total for the same product, not the shelf tag.

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Check what the deal covers

Discounts differ by product type and by store. Common offers in Chicago:

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• 10% to 20% off a first purchase, with photo ID and sometimes an email signup.
• Loyalty points per dollar spent, redeemed for a discount or store merchandise.
• Category days, such as 15% off flower on Tuesday or 20% off concentrates on Wednesday.
• 10% off for veterans, 10% for shoppers 55 or 65 and older, and industry discounts for employees of other dispensaries.
• Medical pricing. Illinois medical cardholders pay a 1% tax on medical cannabis instead of the adult-use rate.

Most stores do not allow stacking two discounts. Read the terms before you build a cart.

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Compare stores on these numbers

• Price per gram of flower and price per 10 mg of THC in edibles. THC content is the unit that matters, not package weight.
• Tax bracket. Flower at 34% THC pays 10%. Flower at 36% THC pays 20%.
• Loyalty value. Multiply points per dollar by the redemption value, then compare that against a straight percentage discount.
• Purchase limits. Illinois residents can buy up to 30 grams of flower, 500 mg of THC in concentrates, and 500 mg of THC in infused products per transaction. Out-of-state visitors get half: 15 grams, 250 mg, and 250 mg.
• Hours, online order cutoff, curbside pickup, and delivery minimums.
• Age and ID. Illinois sets the minimum at 21 with a government photo ID.

Pitfalls to watch

• Old stock. Illinois labels carry a harvest date and a packaged date. Flower harvested a year ago is not the same as flower packaged last month, at any discount.
• Low THC at a high price. A $60 eighth at 18% THC costs more per milligram than a $50 eighth at 28% THC.
• Free product claims. Illinois rules restrict giving away cannabis product as a promotion. A free-eighth offer is a red flag.
• Returns. Illinois does not allow a dispensary to accept returned cannabis. The sale is final.
• Delivery cost. A $5 fee plus a 20% tip can erase a 10% discount.
• Menu prices that move. Check the live menu the same day you plan to buy.