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About IDPH

Cannabis Destruction Guide for Patients and Consumers

The allowable method to render cannabis waste unusable is by grinding and mixing the cannabis waste with other ground materials so the resulting mixture is at least 50% non-cannabis waste by volume.

Material used to grind with the cannabis falls into two categories, compostable waste and non-compostable waste

Compostable Mixed Waste

Cannabis waste to be disposed as compost feedstock or in another organic waste method (for example, anaerobic digester) may be mixed with the following types of waste materials:

  • Food waste;
  • Yard waste; or
  • Other wastes (e.g., agricultural material, biodegradable products and paper, clean wood, fruits and vegetables, plant matter)

**Vegetable-based grease oils should not be included in the destruction of cannabis materials**

Non-Compostable Mixed Waste

Cannabis waste to be disposed in a landfill or by another disposal method may be mixed with the following types of waste materials:

  • Paper waste;
  • Cardboard waste;
  • Plastic waste;
  • Soil; or
  • Other wastes (e.g., non-recyclable plastic, broken glass, leather)

Cannabis waste rendered unusable following the methods described in this Section can be disposed. Disposal of the cannabis waste rendered unusable may be delivered to a permitted solid waste facility for final disposition.

Examples of acceptable permitted solid waste facilities include:

Compostable Mixed Waste

Compost, anaerobic digester or other facility with approval of the jurisdictional health department.

Non-Compostable Mixed Waste

Landfill, incinerator or other facility with approval of the jurisdictional health department.

Best disposal practices for:

Topical Patches

Open patch and stick on either compostable waste and non-compostable waste, then dispose.

Gummy Candy Products

Liquify with a heat source (e.g., microwave) and then mix with either compostable waste and non-compostable waste, then dispose.

Topical Cannisters

Pump out substance and mix with either compostable waste and non-compostable waste, then dispose.

If you have any questions, please contact DPH at DPH.medicalcannabis@illinois.gov or IDFPR at FPR.medicalcannabis@illinois.gov or FPR.adultusecannabis@illinois.gov