Arlington Heights, IL Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Local cannabis fine
- Up to $750 per offense
- Underage facilitation fine
- $1,000 to $5,000
- Underage community service
- 7 to 30 days
- Governing state acts
- 410 ILCS 705 & 410 ILCS 130
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. #20-08
Summary
Arlington Heights, Illinois bans growing, possessing, or consuming cannabis anywhere in the Village except in compliance with Illinois' Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act and Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act under Village Code Section 8-802, backing the state's public-use limits with a local fine of up to $750.
It shall be unlawful for any person to grow, possess, sell, give away, barter, deliver, exchange, distribute, consume, use, purchase, obtain, transport, or administer any cannabis within the Village, except in compliance with the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, 410 ILCS 705/1 et seq. or the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act, 410 ILCS 130/1 et seq., as each may be amended.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 3 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
). Because the state Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act itself limits lawful cannabis use to private settings and bars consumption in public places, on school grounds, in vehicles, or near minors, cannabis use outside those state limits is also a violation of Section 8-802, giving Arlington Heights police an independent local charge on top of any state citation. Section 8-801 adopts the state definition of cannabis by reference. A separate Section 8-803 makes it unlawful for anyone controlling a premises to permit an underage person to possess or use cannabis there, except as allowed under the Compassionate Use Act, and holds the person in control of the premises strictly liable for that underage possession or use. Both Sections were adopted by Ordinance #20-08.
Violations & Fines
Violating Section 8-802 is punishable under Section 8-804 by a fine of up to $750.00. Facilitating underage cannabis use or possession under Section 8-803 carries steeper mandatory penalties: a fine of $1,000.00 to $5,000.00, plus 7 to 30 days of community service for both the underage person and the parent or person who controlled the premises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally smoke cannabis on an Arlington Heights sidewalk?
Is a landlord responsible if a minor uses cannabis on their property?
Does Arlington Heights have its own cannabis possession limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington Heights
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