Today (4/20) sparks up the unofficial holiday of marijuana fans.

State of play: In Illinois, weed sales reached record highs in 2022, and this year, the city's first social equity applicants opened dispensaries.

• But cannabis consumption lounges — licensed businesses that allow smoking and consumption on the premises (think cafes in Amsterdam) — are having a slower ramp-up.

Context: Illinois permits these lounges, with a catch. Local municipalities get final approval.

• The state hosts a select few, including Rise in Mundelein, but Chicago does not allow them.

What they're saying: The city didn't respond to questions on why they're prohibited, but in 2020 Mayor Lori Lightfoot did try to advance a plan that was stymied in City Council.

• "It's not gonna work, and there's gonna be illegal dens of people smoking the stuff," Ald. Howard Brookins (21st) told the Sun-Times at the time.

The intrigue: Cannabis consultant Amy Dordek Dolinsky says some entrepreneurs are concerned local pushback on lounges will hurt the Chicago market.

• "Regulations make it complicated," Dordek Dolinsky tells Axios. "I do think there will be a future for them, I just don't know when."

Reality check: Lounges were expected to be a big part of states' rollouts of legalized marijuana. But demand for them slowed due to the pandemic.

Still, analysts think that could change.

• "We will soon see legal consumption lounges and permits for on-site consumption at events in every market where cannabis is legal," Ricardo Baca of Grasslands, a cannabis-focused marketing agency, tells Axios.
• "Legal on-site cannabis consumption is no longer an if; rather it's a when — and as more states find success in these ventures, others will join the fold."

Be smart: Right now, Illinois law says the lounges are BYOC (bring your own cannabis). You can't buy marijuana and consume it in the same store.

Yes, but: Several Chicago entrepreneurs are getting creative and working around that law.

• The Sesh Bus parks at different locations and gives away products that you can consume on the premises. They will be near the Merchandise Mart this morning.
• Brunch of Stoners is a members-only meetup designed to "enhance your brunch."

What we're watching

The nation's craft beer market is at an inflection point, reports Axios Denver's John Frank.

Driving the news: Independent brewery production remained flat at 24.3 million barrels in 2022, according to an annual report released Tuesday from the Brewers Association, the industry's trade group.

• The number of new breweries opening decreased for the second consecutive year, while the closings rate increased to 3%.

Why it matters: Outside of the pandemic slump, this is the first time, since the association started tracking in the mid-'80s, that year-over-year production didn't grow.

Zoom in: The Chicago area hosts some of the nation's 50 biggest craft breweries, with Revolution Brewing (No. 39) in Palmer Square and 3 Floyds Brewing (24) in Munster, Indiana.

Between the foam: The data leaves major questions about the industry's future as craft beer's core demographic gets older and drinks less full-flavored brewski while younger consumers go for seltzers and canned cocktails.

• "Craft is going to have to do what it's always done — reinvent itself for a new generation of drinkers," Bart Watson, the association's chief economist, tells Axios.

Between the lines: One reason for the lack of growth is the departure of big brewers — most recently Bell's in Michigan — from the independent beer market.

• Like Goose Island and Lagunitas, it was purchased by an international mega brewer and is no longer considered "craft" by the association's definition.

Go deeper

💰 Paul Vallas outspent Brandon Johnson almost 2-1 in his losing bid for mayor. (Tribune)

📈 United Airlines lost $194 million in the first quarter of 2023, but that's better than last year. (Barron's)

🏀 Loyola University Chicago's men's basketball program is bringing former star Clayton Custer back as an assistant coach under Drew Valentine. Custer was on the 2018 Cinderella squad that went to the Final Four. (Loyola)

A handful of Chicago chefs will be proffering special lion's mane mushroom sandwiches this Saturday as meatless Earth Day specials.

Why it matters: The coordinated effort features the tasty fungus grown locally at Four Star Mushroom Farm — a delicious way to reduce consumption of meat, which can take a big toll on the environment to produce.

Chef specials: Brian Jupiter at Frontier is frying the mushroom and topping it with tomatoes, fried kale, chimichurri and provolone.

• Sarah Stegner at Prairie Grass Cafe is making a crispy battered mushroom with Three Sisters Garden pea shoots slaw.
• Greg Wade at Publican Quality Bread is searing the shroom and topping it with salsa matcha, seared red onions, cheddar and arugula on pizza bianca.

The intrigue: We recently got a sneak taste at Luella's Southern Kitchen of chef Darnell Reed's smoked and seared mushroom sandwich ($15), garnished with creole cheddar aioli, arugula and a cheddar parm crisp on a sesame brioche bun.

The verdict: A deeply smoky surprise.

💼 Check out who's hiring now.

1. Supply Chain Finance Director at TreeHouse.
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The pandemic has changed the way we dine, from curbside pickup to more takeout options to shorter store hours.

Yes, but: One change — QR codes replacing real menus in some restaurants — has polarized customers.

• Many people aren't fans of them, per an informal national Axios survey of COVID changes at stores and restaurants.
• "Savoring the menu is an important [part] of the dining experience," one diner wrote. "I have given up two favorite places because their menu was such false efficiency."

📣 Weigh in: Do you love or hate QR code menus? We want to hear from diners, servers and restaurateurs. Reply to this email with your thoughts.