Illinois to hold off on issuing over 80 marijuana licenses, putting a dent in diversity

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The state is going to delay 80 new marijuana licenses as it concentrates on COVID-19

Due to several setbacks in the application process brought by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Illinois authorities just announced the delay of the issuance of over 80 marijuana licenses that were destined to expand the industry. The office regulating marijuana grow facilities, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, was supposed to award 40 craft grow licenses, 40 infuser licenses and a few – the number was not revealed – transporter licenses by today. This setback not only could be a major issue for several applicants, but it also affects the efforts of diversity in an industry that is largely white.

In order to delay those licenses, Governor J.B. Pritzker just issued an executive order, and he did not give further details about when the licenses will be issued. Some of the applicants might be in serious financial trouble after this decision, especially those who were paying money to continue holding their facilities for the future business. “We’re going to have to write another check to the landlords to hold the building,” said Jamil Taylor, who is paying for a facility where he plans to cultivate cannabis. “That definitely puts us in a tough spot. … We have to shell out thousands and thousands of more dollars.”

The reason for this is that it is stated under the law that applicants need to have secured the location before applying for the license. Another impact of the decision, according to Taylor, is that that some groups and people won’t be able to afford a prolonged delay, and will most likely lose their properties.