Illinois touts improvements in making marijuana industry equitable, but critics say more needed

Samantha ChatmanThe Illinois marijuana industry is more equitable with more woman- and POC-owned dispensaries than ever, but critics say more needs to be done.One of the goals of legalizing marijuana in Illinois was to repair the damage of mass cannabis convictions among people of color. And while some critics say not enough has been done to level the playing field, the state said it's proud of the steps it's made over the last four years to make the industry attainable for everyone.

Brewer's co-owners for the Logan Square shop are his brother Chuck and his mother Dianne. She never could have imagined this venture in her wildest dreams as a Black woman. Erin Johnson, who oversees marijuana operations in Illinois, said as of 2021, anyone in the state seeking marijuana business licenses must meet social equity criteria.

"So we're really doing things to make sure that our cannabis industry looks like Illinois," Johnson said. Raising capital is a huge issues. Jackson said that to date, the state has not followed through on its legal obligation to provide funding to dispensary license holders via theThe state didn't say what was behind the delay for the release of funds, but said they hope to start accepting applications this week.

Source: News Formal (newsformal.com)

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