I don't know if the prices in Illinois are that high, but they are still infamously quite expensive. Hence one reason why people are buying this, it's way cheaper.
I think this is one of the bigger issues that people aren't really realizing, at least in terms of the general public. While we do have 24 states where recreational marijuana is legal, there are also 24 separate regimes in place that vary wildly. An imperfect legal system is better than nothing at all, but it does sometimes mask the issues. Some states have have taken regulation way too far, while others imposing astronomical taxes and fees (at all stages, not just at the point of sale to the consumer). When people want recreational marijuana in their state, I think what they want is a regulated and safe product accessible only to those of age and at a reasonable price (including reasonable tax rates and fees). In many states, this is not the case.
From what I've read, Michigan seems to be the gold standard (or at least one of them).
