Last call for THC drinks

Listen, call me old fashioned but I'd rather the guy driving towards me is hammered on Jack Daniels.

Last call for THC drinks

By Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann and Carrie Shepherd, Axios News

Nov 06, 2026

A century after Prohibition, Illinois liquor stores, bars and restaurants are preparing for another last call: This time, it's for THC drinks.

The latest: A new state law aimed at cracking down on unregulated cannabis products will force many popular hemp-derived THC beverages off shelves starting Nov. 12.

How it works: Under the new Illinois Hemp Act, products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will be classified as cannabis and can only be sold by licensed dispensaries.

To put that in perspective, a 5-milligram THC drink contains 12.5 times the amount allowed under the new limit.

State of play: Stores have until Nov. 11 to sell or otherwise dispose of them before the new restrictions take effect.

Context: The law is designed to bring oversight to intoxicating hemp products sold outside Illinois' regulated cannabis market.

Supporters argued that the products were inadequately regulated, sometimes packaged to appeal to children and sold without the safeguards required of licensed cannabis businesses.

Yes, but: The restrictions also affect low-dose THC beverages that have become increasingly mainstream.

THC drinks have appeared on menus at Navy Pier, the United Center and Lollapalooza.

Zoom in: The restrictions are forcing Illinois THC beverage makers to rethink their businesses, from reformulating drinks to reconsidering where they can sell them.

What's next: Chicago-based Plift and other beverage makers are organizing a "Last Call" fundraiser Tuesday at Duffy's in Lakeview East, where participants will join a statewide toast at 8pm.

The bottom line: Unlike the last Prohibition, nobody's going to need a speakeasy. Just a dispensary.