Cannabis Regulation & Tax Act Evaluation

2026 Annual Cannabis Report

The 2026 Illinois Adult Use Cannabis Health Advisory Committee Annual Report provides the sixth annual assessment of the public health, market, criminal justice, and equity effects associated with adult-use cannabis legalization in Illinois..

Latest Podcast

Federal marijuana rescheduling
to Schedule III

Breaking the catch-22: The shift to Schedule III marijuana

For decades, marijuana's Schedule I status created a 'Catch-22': It lacked clinical evidence for medical use, yet its classification made conducting that very research nearly impossible. The federal government is now using a new scientific framework to transition marijuana to Schedule III, balancing clinical reality with regulatory control.

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Federal marijuana rescheduling to Schedule III

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Synthetic Cannabis Awareness and Use

Annual Report

Annual Report 2025 - 2026 presentation front cover

2026 Annual Cannabis Report

Adult Use Cannabis
Health Advisory Committee

Drawing on multiple state and national data sources and original Illinois studies, the report finds that adult and frequent cannabis use have increased substantially, but with those increases not unique to Illinois and consistent with broader regional and national trends, while youth cannabis use has not shown a broad sustained increase.

The report also documents a mature but uneven legal market, sharp reductions in cannabis arrests and incarceration alongside persistent racial and geographic inequities, and continuing public health concerns involving pediatric exposures, cannabis-related emergency care, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, and cannabis use during pregnancy.

Areas of Research

Introduction to Cannabis Legalization in Illinois and the U.S.

Dispensary Licensing, Sales and Revenues By Medical / Recreational

Trends in Illinois Cannabis Use Incidence and Prevalence

Prevalence Trends for Special Populations

Characteristics of Current Cannabis Use in Illinois

Medical Cannabis Use and Benefits

Cannabis Use Disorder and Treatment

Public Health

Cannabis and the Justice System

Recent Insights

Insights on Cannabis Research

Explore our latest insights

The business of cannabis

5 mins

March 2026

Dr. J. Swartz, Ph.D.

Illinois Just Closed the Hemp Loophole: What SB 3222 Means

Overall, older adults report using cannabis to manage chronic pain, and sometimes as a substitute for more potent pain relievers such as opioids. They also report using cannabis to help with sleep...

The business of cannabis

6 mins

April 2026

Gary R. Kinsel, Ph.D.

A Seat at the Table for Commodity Hemp Academic Research

Even a casual observer would agree that the current regulatory landscape in the hemp/cannabis domain is distinctly unsettled. From calls for rescheduling the plant...

Cannabis use and initiation by youth

8 mins

May 2026

Sara Kelly, PhD, MPH

Diverging Trends: Cannabis Use Prevalence vs. Cannabis-Related Healthcare Encounters Among Youth

In recent years, national public health surveys have revealed an encouraging trend: overall substance use among youth is declining. Yet beneath this positive trajectory...

We are seeking contributors to our Guest Blog feature on our project website.

We are seeking contributors to our Guest Blog feature on our project website. We are looking to feature a wide range of thoughtful perspectives on cannabis and hemp.

We're especially interested in contributions from colleagues working in research, clinical care, policy, and related areas. Topics might include public health impacts, medical use, legalization, consumer experience, or where policy and practice are headed.

Posts are typically 800–1,200 words, written for a general audience (not a journal article), and we keep editing light so each piece reflects the author's voice.

If you have something you've been thinking or writing about in this space, I'd be glad to hear from you.

Thank you for your interest in contributing to the Illinois Cannabis Research Project Guest Blog. This feature is intended to highlight a broad range of thoughtful perspectives on cannabis and hemp, including research, policy, public health, clinical issues, and lived or professional experience.

Here are more details and instructions for submission:

Scope and Topics

We welcome submissions on topics such as:

  • Cannabis and hemp policy and regulation
  • Public health impacts
  • Medical use and clinical considerations
  • Consumer experiences
  • Industry developments and economic issues
  • Emerging research and data

Submissions should be relevant, evidence-informed where appropriate, and contribute constructively to ongoing discussions in this field.

Length and Format

  • Typical length: 800–1,200 words
  • Written in clear, accessible language for a broad audience
  • Minimal use of jargon; technical concepts should be explained
  • References may be included but are not required

Tone and Style

  • Informative, thoughtful, and respectful
  • We welcome diverse perspectives, including differing viewpoints
  • Posts may be analytical, reflective, or commentary-based
  • Content should avoid being promotional or purely advocacy-driven

Review and Editing

Submissions will be reviewed for relevance, clarity, and appropriateness. We aim to keep editing light and preserve the author’s voice, but we may suggest minor revisions prior to publication.

Author Information

Please include:

  • Name and professional affiliation
  • A brief bio (2–3 sentences)
  • Any relevant disclosures or conflicts of interest
  • Submission Process

To submit a guest blog or inquire about a potential topic, please contact:

James Swartz
jswartz@illinoiscannabisproject.com

Trending Research

Hot-topics in Cannabis Research

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Young-Wolff, K C; Slama, N E; Avalos, L A; Padon, A A; Silver, L D; Adams, S R; Does, M B; Ansley, D; Castellanos, C; Campbell, C I; Alexeeff, S E

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Publication Title Goes Here A Elit Nulla Porttitor netus Quis Velit Scelerisque Orci.

Young-Wolff, K C; Slama, N E; Avalos, L A; Padon, A A; Silver, L D; Adams, S R; Does, M B; Ansley, D; Castellanos, C; Campbell, C I; Alexeeff, S E

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Donec pellentesque sollicitudin justo senectus massa. Netus eu fermentum rhoncus gravida at tempus. Mollis fusce in nisl cras faucibus dui. Adipiscing sit suspendisse venenatis lorem lectus consequat semper. Dapibus pharetra at lacus eleifend egestas odio ullamcorper lobortis. Quam sagittis sed sed fringilla et. Tellus pretium molestie nisl sed...

Publication Title Goes Here A Elit Nulla Porttitor netus Quis Velit Scelerisque Orci.

Young-Wolff, K C; Slama, N E; Avalos, L A; Padon, A A; Silver, L D; Adams, S R; Does, M B; Ansley, D; Castellanos, C; Campbell, C I; Alexeeff, S E

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Donec pellentesque sollicitudin justo senectus massa. Netus eu fermentum rhoncus gravida at tempus. Mollis fusce in nisl cras faucibus dui. Adipiscing sit suspendisse venenatis lorem lectus consequat semper. Dapibus pharetra at lacus eleifend egestas odio ullamcorper lobortis. Quam sagittis sed sed fringilla et. Tellus pretium molestie nisl sed...

Publication Title Goes Here A Elit Nulla Porttitor netus Quis Velit Scelerisque Orci.

Young-Wolff, K C; Slama, N E; Avalos, L A; Padon, A A; Silver, L D; Adams, S R; Does, M B; Ansley, D; Castellanos, C; Campbell, C I; Alexeeff, S E

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Donec pellentesque sollicitudin justo senectus massa. Netus eu fermentum rhoncus gravida at tempus. Mollis fusce in nisl cras faucibus dui. Adipiscing sit suspendisse venenatis lorem lectus consequat semper. Dapibus pharetra at lacus eleifend egestas odio ullamcorper lobortis. Quam sagittis sed sed fringilla et. Tellus pretium molestie nisl sed...

Publication Title Goes Here A Elit Nulla Porttitor netus Quis Velit Scelerisque Orci.

Young-Wolff, K C; Slama, N E; Avalos, L A; Padon, A A; Silver, L D; Adams, S R; Does, M B; Ansley, D; Castellanos, C; Campbell, C I; Alexeeff, S E

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Donec pellentesque sollicitudin justo senectus massa. Netus eu fermentum rhoncus gravida at tempus. Mollis fusce in nisl cras faucibus dui. Adipiscing sit suspendisse venenatis lorem lectus consequat semper. Dapibus pharetra at lacus eleifend egestas odio ullamcorper lobortis. Quam sagittis sed sed fringilla et. Tellus pretium molestie nisl sed...

Publication Title Goes Here A Elit Nulla Porttitor netus Quis Velit Scelerisque Orci.

Young-Wolff, K C; Slama, N E; Avalos, L A; Padon, A A; Silver, L D; Adams, S R; Does, M B; Ansley, D; Castellanos, C; Campbell, C I; Alexeeff, S E

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Donec pellentesque sollicitudin justo senectus massa. Netus eu fermentum rhoncus gravida at tempus. Mollis fusce in nisl cras faucibus dui. Adipiscing sit suspendisse venenatis lorem lectus consequat semper. Dapibus pharetra at lacus eleifend egestas odio ullamcorper lobortis. Quam sagittis sed sed fringilla et. Tellus pretium molestie nisl sed...