Where the grass is greener: 10 dispensaries just over the border in Illinois

A map of Iowa and surrounding states shows that Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri have legal marijuana programs generating millions in state revenue. — Annual retail sales of medical and recreational marijuana for the 2025 calendar year totaled $1.5 billion in both Missouri and Illinois. Minnesota reported $31.7 million in retail sales since state-licensed dispensaries started selling recreational marijuana in September 2025. At the time of publication, Minnesota has not reported cannabis excise tax revenue for FY25. — Infographic by Kellan Doolittle/Little Village

Since Illinois legalized recreational marijuana in 2020, dozens upon dozens of state-licensed dispensaries have opened or expanded beyond medicinal offerings in the Land of Lincoln. As a result, Iowans willing to hop over the Mississippi for the boutique weed-buying experience have more options than ever.

THC products cannot be legally transported across state lines. This fact is displayed prominently on dispensary walls and doors. (Most also ban photography inside the shop.) But Iowans can spend their money on Illinois weed with a valid ID. Out-of-state shoppers are limited to half of what in-state shoppers can buy in one visit; that is, 15 grams (or approximately ½ oz) cannabis flower, 250mg of THC in a cannabis-infused product (e.g. edibles) and 2.5 grams of cannabis concentrate (e.g. vape cartridges).

While there isn’t data showing how much Iowans spent on weed products in Illinois last year, it’s estimated in the eight figures. The sales tax (at least 10 percent) goes towards low-cost legal services, youth development, substance abuse prevention, violence prevention, mental health treatments and the General Revenue Fund in Illinois, among other causes.

Below are 10 licensed dispensaries located near the Iowa/Illinois border, listed north to south. Little Village does not encourage you to break state or federal laws — explained in full at cannabis.illinois.gov. Remember: the merchandise, like the social and economic benefits of legalized cannabis, isn’t supposed to cross the border.