Illinois
Illinois cannabis purchase limits and taxes, explained
Illinois adult-use purchase limits for residents and non-residents, the medical allowance, and how the cannabis purchaser excise tax and local taxes add up at the register.
Adult-use purchase limits
Under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (410 ILCS 705/10-10), adults 21 and older may possess, and so buy, up to these amounts. Each category has its own cap.
| Illinois residents | Non-residents | |
|---|---|---|
| Cannabis flower | 30 grams | 15 grams |
| Cannabis concentrate | 5 grams | 2.5 grams |
| THC in infused products (edibles, drinks, and so on) | 500 mg | 250 mg |
Medical patients
Registered qualifying patients may buy up to 2.5 ounces (about 70.9 grams) of cannabis in a 14-day period, or more if they are approved for a higher amount. Infused products and concentrates count toward that allowance by their flower equivalent.
The cannabis purchaser excise tax
Adult-use purchases carry the Cannabis Purchaser Excise Tax, set by product:
| Product | Excise rate |
|---|---|
| Cannabis with 35% THC or less (most flower) | 10% |
| Cannabis-infused products (edibles, drinks, topicals) | 20% |
| Cannabis with more than 35% THC (most concentrates) | 25% |
On top of the excise tax, the sale carries retailers’ occupation tax: the state rate plus local general sales taxes and any municipal and county cannabis taxes where the dispensary is located. Combined, the total tax on an adult-use purchase commonly lands between roughly 20% and over 40%, depending on product and location. Medical sales do not carry the purchaser excise tax and are taxed at a reduced rate.
How it works at the register
The register has to know each product’s category and THC potency to apply both the limit and the excise tier, and it has to know whether the customer is a resident, a visitor, or a medical patient. Cannavate checks limits for each customer type as items are added, picks the excise tier line by line, and applies your location’s combined rate, so budtenders do not do this math at the counter.