* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced today the July 1st deadline for issuing adult-use cannabis craft grower, infuser and transporter licenses has been temporarily suspended. Due to the previous application deadline extension and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Pritzker issued an Executive Order to extend the deadline. The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will announce a new date to issue up to 40 craft grower licenses, up to 40 infuser licenses, and an unlimited number of transporter licenses. View the Executive Order here.
“The Pritzker Administration is committed to creating a fair and equitable adult-use cannabis industry in Illinois. IDOA is helping achieve that goal by providing Illinois residents, specifically those who live in communities that were disproportionately impacted by the failed war on drugs, with multiple entry-points to this new industry,” said Jerry Costello II, Acting IDOA Director. “The COVID-19 pandemic and the 6-week deadline extension granted to applicants have caused unforeseeable delays in the application review process. The Department is working tirelessly to ensure that applications are scored and awarded in a fair, deliberate and equitable manner.”
Once determined, IDOA will publicly announce the new date for issuing licenses.
The deadline is tomorrow and they’re just announcing this today? This, by the way, is the third time the licensing process has been delayed.
* Tribune…
The delays could be catastrophic for some applicants, particularly those who were paying to hold real estate for grow facilities. The setbacks also threaten efforts to diversify the largely white industry.
“We’re going to have to write another check to the landlords to hold the building,” said Jamil Taylor, who leased a South Side building for a grow facility through the end of July. “That definitely puts us in a tough spot … We have to shell out thousands and thousands of more dollars.”
Under the law, grow license applicants had to secure property in advance. Taylor, who applied with a group for grow, transporter and dispensary licenses, said some groups won’t be able to afford an indefinite delay, and could lose their properties.
Social equity applicants are particularly at risk, Taylor said.
Unacceptable.
…Adding… Some of y’all in comments just haven’t been paying attention. The authority he has to delay these things is provided for in Sections 7(1) of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act…
Sec. 7. Emergency Powers of the Governor. […]
(1) To suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing procedures for conduct of State business, or the orders, rules and regulations of any State agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action, including emergency purchases, by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, in coping with the disaster.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Jun 30, 20 @ 12:47 pm:
Plant that bell and let it ring…Legal weed was just a sting?
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Jun 30, 20 @ 1:04 pm:
“Dave’s not here, man.”
– MrJM
- Ray Gun - Tuesday, Jun 30, 20 @ 1:05 pm:
Democrats hate bureaucracy when it’s between them and a bong hit.
- Chambanalyst - Tuesday, Jun 30, 20 @ 1:05 pm:
Where is Toi Hutchinson on this? How is this allowed to happen? The Illinois market is an oligopoly, with a few big players reaping the benefits of vertical consolidation. We were supposed to be the leaders in the nation on equity-centric cannabis laws. To fail at accomplishing this, especially in light of recent events, would be a significant embarrassment.
- essentially working - Tuesday, Jun 30, 20 @ 1:14 pm:
So I guess these dates were issued in regulations not part of the actual legislation? Otherwise, how could they be delayed without further legislation? The governor can’t just do that by decree can he?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 30, 20 @ 1:16 pm:
===governor can’t just do that by decree can he?===
Yes because it’s a regulation of a licensed industry.
- Lt Guv - Tuesday, Jun 30, 20 @ 1:43 pm:
==Democrats hate bureaucracy when it’s between them and a bong hit.== Almost seems as if you’re suggesting that’s a bad thing. Also, don’t worry, plenty of Republicans and other right-wingers partake of the herb.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Jun 30, 20 @ 2:15 pm:
Black businesses matter?
- Altgelds Ghost - Tuesday, Jun 30, 20 @ 2:16 pm:
GTI, Revolution, Cresco, and the few others are proving the old Springfield adage its a lot easier to kill something then pass something.
Delay equals victory for incumbents
I’m sure this has nothing to do with the myriad of conflicts for all the officials involved in the cannabis legislation.
- Wizzard of Ozzie - Tuesday, Jun 30, 20 @ 4:29 pm:
What am I missing? Reviewing the applications is an exercise that can take place anywhere. Why would the pandemic cause a delay in the scoring of applications?
Since the bill was passed, this administration has been awful when it comes to supporting the cannabis industry and implementing the new law. Get it together already.
- MyTwoCents - Tuesday, Jun 30, 20 @ 5:32 pm:
I would be very interested to hear the reasons why the Department of Ag has been delayed in scoring applicants during COVID. Everybody’s supposed to be working from home, right? There’s Zoom or Webex meetings, phone conferences, etc. What have the responsible employees been doing for the last 3.5 months?
- the Patriot - Tuesday, Jun 30, 20 @ 6:14 pm:
Be interesting to see who profits, like existing license owners. Of course that information is not public so you can’t see who actually owns current licenses…or who they donate money to.