Illinois Completes First Cannabis Retail Social Equity Licensing Round

Illinois completed its first round of social equity licenses on August 19, according to an Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) press release. The agency said in addition to the 182 social equity licenses granted in July and early August, three more conditional adult-use dispensing organization licenses had been issued for the 2021 license lottery winners.

“Illinois is a pioneer, leading the way in cannabis legalization that is equity-centered. With all 185 conditional licenses now in the hands of social equity applicants, we have reached a tremendous milestone. Now, we look forward to getting these businesses up and running, creating jobs in the communities most harmed by the failed drug war, and cementing ownership in Illinois’ cannabis industry as the most diverse in the nation.” — Gov. JB Pritzker (D), in the release

Forty-one percent of the businesses selected were Black-owned, 7% white-owned, 4% were Latino-owned, and 38% did not disclose their racial make-up. The awardees now have 180 days to find a physical location and complete the remainder of the requirements for an Adult Use Dispensing Organization license. If unable to find a physical location, licensees will be able to request an additional 180 days.

“I am pleased the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation fulfilled its statutory requirement and issued these 185 conditional dispensary licenses,” Mario Treto, Jr., secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, said in a statement. “The release of these remaining licenses means ownership of cannabis dispensaries in Illinois is now more inclusive and diverse than ever before, and we look forward to taking the next steps together to continue implementing the most equitable cannabis program in the country.”