It’s a new year and, for Illinois, a new era of recreational marijuana.

It’s a new year and, for Illinois, a new era of recreational marijuana. Weed dispensaries across the state opened their doors set to begin adult-use sales on Jan. 1.

On that date, the limited sale of recreational marijuana will be legal—a move that will have wide impacts not just on society but the commercial real estate industry as well.

Lease negotiations between cannabis companies and landlords across the city will intensify in the new year as providers try to beat their competitors to market and meet Chicago’s stringent zoning requirements.