First-ever hemp-derived THC retail store opening inside Chicago's Salt Shed
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The new RISE dispensary at the Salt Shed. Photo: Courtesy of RISE
A first-of-its-kind THC retail store will open inside the Salt Shed on Friday.
Why it matters: It could pave the way for other big venues and stadiums to add THC products.
The latest: RISE Dispensaries will operate an on-site retail space at The Fairgrounds inside the Salt Shed music venue, offering THC Delta-9 products including hemp-derived THC gummies, chocolates and drinks.
Yes, but: It's not a regulated Illinois dispensary. RISE operates several adult-use recreational cannabis dispensaries in Illinois, but this partnership would sell unregulated but legal products.
Between the lines: The new hemp-derived THC store operates outside of the state's current laws for opening adult-use recreational marijuana dispensaries, which have to apply for licenses and have their products heavily taxed.
- Some dispensary owners have complained about the costs and regulations, while the city set up zones in which dispensaries could operate.
Reality check: RISE and Salt Shed are taking advantage of new trends that show concertgoers are opting to get high over drinking alcohol.
Zoom out: The hemp-derived THC products like Delta-9 have recently become a focal point for local and state governments. Gov. JB Pritzker and the state legislature failed twice to pass a bill that would have regulated where these products could be sold in Illinois.
- In Chicago, the city council passed a measure to ban similar products in certain wards and is considering a plan to tax the products.
The intrigue: The Salt Shed has quickly become one of Chicago's premier music venues, even throwing a huge party hosted by Pritzker at the Democratic National Convention. The governor, who is against hemp-derived THC shops, has partnered with the venue for other big events.
- The governor's office would not comment, instead directing us to his previous statement on hemp-derived THC products.
What's next: It's unclear if these products could be banned or regulated in the spring legislative session, starting next week.
- The new store opens Friday at 4:20pm.
Editor's note: This story and headline has been corrected to refer to the new RISE space as a retail store (not a dispensary).