Recreational marijuana buyers spent $35.9 million in March

Buyers spent $35.9 million in March to purchase recreational marijuana in Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced sales figures today.

The state reported 812,203 sales, for an average of $44 per purchase.

Sales remained strong despite the coronavirus outbreak that forced many Illinois residents into their homes for the last half of the month. However, dispensaries were allowed to stay open as essential businesses.

March sales were slightly higher than February, a shorter month, when $34.8 million in recreational weed was sold. In January, the first month of legalization, sales totaled $39.2 million. More dispensaries have begun selling recreational marijuana as well since Jan. 1.

In March, $27.1 million was sold to Illinois residents and $8.8 million was sold to those from out of state.

The figures do not include special marijuana taxes or sales taxes from the purchases.

In the first three months since recreational adult-use marijuana was made legal, dispensaries have made a collective $110 million.

"Three straight months of consistent adult use cannabis sales show there is ­­- and will continue to be - strong support and demand from consumers," said Toi Hutchinson, senior adviser for cannabis control to the governor. "To ensure medical users are able to access the product they need during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, curbside pickup will remain an option for medical patients through April 30."

Tax revenue from the recreational sales fund a variety of initiatives. The state's general fund gets 35%, a community development revitalization program for areas affected by the criminalization of marijuana gets 25%, while 20% goes to substance abuse and mental health programs and 10% goes toward the state's bill backlog. Local government law enforcement agencies receive 8%, and 2% goes to public education and analysis of marijuana legalization.