Newcomers hoping to join the emerging market of the cannabis industry in Illinois can breathe a little easier. A court order to award 60 new craft cannabis growing licenses has been won, allowing for major expansion and development.
A Judge lifted the injunction that held up the licenses this month, restoring the applications of 11 applicants who had sued. After challenging their qualifications by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the agency will now consider those applications for license.
For the top scorers, the department will hold a lottery. Independent growers like Scott Redman of the Illinois Independent Craft Growers Association call the ruling a “tremendous boost to the Illinois craft grow industry. Hopefully this will trigger the department to announce the winners and get those licenses issued.”
While the state was required by law to award these 60 craft grow licenses, there’s another 185 dispensary licenses held up in litigation while the application process slowly moves along.
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