It’s just a bill: Cannabis edition
Wednesday, Mar 17, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Politico…
A year after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order delaying the submission date for new cannabis license applications, there have been no new licenses issued.
Three bills have been introduced in the state Legislature to correct a scoring problem that shut out qualified cannabis entrepreneurs, many who are social equity applicants, from securing a spot in the lottery for a dispensary. And all three failed miserably.
Rep. La Shawn Ford hopes the fourth bill is a charm. He’s introducing a compromise measure that was crafted with equity applicants and the governor’s office. “I’m looking forward to the final language that the General Assembly can pass and the governor signs to have Black and brown people included in this industry,” he told Playbook.
Ford’s draft legislation would create two lottery drawings to dole out 110 licenses to sell recreational weed. The bill also calls for a separate lottery to add five licenses to sell medical marijuana.
To move forward with any lottery, the state is required to fix the scoring process and create an additional competition that would address lawsuits filed because of the flawed scoring in the first lottery.
* Sun-Times..
After previously slamming Gov. J.B. Pritzker over the marred licensing rollout, Hendon praised him on Monday for halting the process after outrage and legal action followed the state’s announcement that just 21 of the more than 900 applicant groups had qualified. Hendon said the governor ultimately told Black cannabis applicants to “unify and come to us with a solution.”
In a statement Tuesday, Pritzker’s office expressed support for the bill.
“We welcome the legislation proposed by Rep. Ford in coordination with community stakeholders that aims to address acknowledged shortcomings in the Act,” said spokeswoman Charity Greene. “Holding an additional lottery for conditional adult-use dispensary licenses will not only provide a path to participation in the industry for Illinoisans from all backgrounds but also provide high-scoring applicants from the first round an opportunity to gain a license.”
Ford said he intends to file the new language soon by adding to a “shell bill” that was introduced shortly after Ford’s push to create 75 additional dispensary licenses fell short during the lame duck session in January.
* Meanwhile, from the Tribune…
Among some 300 cannabis-related bills introduced in Springfield, most of which are unlikely to pass, a few stand out.
One proposal provides that a county or municipality may allow the sale and consumption of cannabis at temporary events, clubs, and tours of cultivation centers.
Another bill would transfer cannabis business licensing and oversight from existing state regulators to a new Cannabis Control Commission to be appointed by the governor.
Yet another would require schools to teach the medical and legal ramifications of cannabis use, similar to warnings about alcohol and drug use.
And one measure provides that no one may knowingly allow an animal to ingest cannabis, including secondhand smoke, in a way that results in the animal’s sickness or death.
* Related…
* This Recent Cannabis SPAC Is Looking to Make Acquisitions in These 5 Key States
* Illinois’ first on-site consumption cannabis bar set to open in Sesser
* United Way of Adams County hopes to use cannabis funds to improve programs
* This McLean County cannabis business is growing so much, they need more parking
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 3:02 pm:
Cannabis is not a cause sickness or death.
- Cool Papa Bell - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 3:04 pm:
=One proposal provides that a county or municipality may allow the sale and consumption of cannabis at temporary events, clubs, and tours of cultivation centers.=
Can’t wait for the pot tent at the State Fair.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 3:07 pm:
At least the licenses for cannabis have been handled better than Cellini’s gaming license was.
- Anyone Remember - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 3:18 pm:
Sesser?
- Collinsville Kevin - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 3:26 pm:
Just happened to drop by the Collinsville dispensary this morning. They are still doing a rousing business and the prices are still sky-high. May be a connection between that and lack of new licenses.
- RIJ - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 3:38 pm:
We don’t even have enough proper studies yet on what illnesses cannabis may contribute to in humans, much less animals. (Personally, I think COPD is a front runner for regular users, but we’ll have to see.) I doubt that a similar law for humans would be provable, let alone one for animals.
- Franklin - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 3:49 pm:
Another big item the Governor has largely been given a pass on.
- harp5339 - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 3:52 pm:
This is beyond ridiculous. The process to opening a dispensary should be handled in a similar manner to opening a liquor store. The artificial scarcity is keeping prices inflated and people going back to their “weed man” who is unlikely to be remitting taxes for that sale.
While the country is making progress on legalization, there still seem to be a large contingent that think Reefer Madness is a documentary.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 4:41 pm:
Cannabis has been the target of drug war researchers… specifically looking for harmful effects for decades… “We” have found zero harm and ,conversely, many positive effects have been discovered.
- Al - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 4:54 pm:
28,000 Liquor licenses are issued annual. Probably a lot more tobacco licenses. This Black market priced Cannabis with limited disclosure the past couple years for a handful of well represented cannabis-entrpreneurs has really stunk. There is not enough competition as proved by product being sold at Black market prices.
Btw, I ran some numbers and apparently Ascend in the Capitol city is moving two and a half pounds equivalent three percent tax rate at each outlet. Given the lines I have seen I was shocked it could be so low. But I suppose they may have some slow hours and I just don’t notice when I drive by then. I just notice the lines out the door but maybe Covid social distancing is part of it.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 5:10 pm:
=== We don’t even have enough proper studies yet on what illnesses cannabis may contribute to in humans, much less animals.===
Because it’s a schedule one drug, scientists can’t study it. Hopefully this will change.
- frisbee - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 5:17 pm:
Illinois continues to treat cannabis like plutonium. Adults over 21 can buy cannabis and give it away to anyone else over 21 but cannot grow it. I wonder who the ban on homegrow helps? Cops complained about letting adults grow weed so that was left out of the legalization law but i would love to see it included in any new bills.
- Anyone Remember - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 5:27 pm:
==“We” have found zero harm== …
Inhaling ANY hot “smoke” is unhealthy. Be it cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs, or marijuana.
- NeveroddoreveN - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 5:30 pm:
I don’t quite understand this administration’s approach with Cannabis. On the one hand they seem to back controlled expansion and regulation, yet on the other they randomly drug test state employees?
- EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 5:54 pm:
Coming soon to a theater or street corner near you. “Reefer Madness 2″ starring Hollywood Hendon.
- harp5339 - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 5:56 pm:
== I just notice the lines out the door but maybe Covid social distancing is part of it. ==
Unlike in January 2020 (ah, remember then?) when there were “lines out the door” because they were over capacity inside, the current lines are 100% because of covid. They are letting a staggered amount of people go in, so those folks you see outside are probably about 75% of those waiting to get their order.
== Inhaling ANY hot “smoke” is unhealthy ==
Hey, Grandpa, there are a lot of other ways to consume THC besides lighting it on fire. “Flower” is trending downward in dispensaries, so the more that are open the less you’ll have people inhaling hot smoke. I would think most people are reluctant to get edibles or extracts from their street dealer.
- Al - Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 8:54 pm:
Dear RIJ, with ounces or basically a pack of Cannabis green cigarettes going for $750, I doubt it will be the cause of anyone’s COPD. Your concern is touching nonetheless. Tobacco on the other hand people will smoke 150 cigarettes a week and there is your COPD. You don’t get it from two joints a week.