I'm over at the Thompson Center, where Gov. Pritzker will be talking about "ensuring fairness when awarding conditional adult-use cannabis dispensary licenses." Here's my story from yesterday.
chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/2020/…
After going thru priorities of legalization law, Pritzker says his admin has heard for weeks "that more needs to be done to ensure fairness" in the cannabis industry and application process. Reiterates what's outlined in the linked story above.
Notes that all applicants who revise applications, challenge scores and get a perfect grade will be included in the lottery. Currently, only 21 groups had perfect scores.
First round of scoring "has been far from perfect," Pritzker says, though there have been "signs of real progress." Says IL is still poised to have a more diverse industry than other states.
"You cannot pave a perfect path without a road map," Pritzker says, noting there was no "road map" for a "truly equitable cannabis legalization framework." Points to upcoming disparity study that will show how industry is working and any challenges to equity moving fwd.
Pritzker says there's still much opportunity for "greater representation" and change in industry. Proposes possibly capping number of applications in specific regions groups can submit.
Toi Hutchinson, Pritzker's top pot adviser, says "we have a long road ahead of us" and that equity remains the administration's top priority.
Hutchinson points to working with members of the General Assembly to readdress the legalization law. State Reps. La Shawn Ford and Kathleen Willis have both been talking about introducing a trailer bill during upcoming veto session.
Hutchinson on disparity study: Results will be proposed to further promote equity before next licenses are handed out.
Foxx and Pritzker have both touted the other equity-based portions of the legalization law: The R3 grant program to invigorate affected areas and the expungement program.
Pritzker won't give specifics on how much the new process for grading will cost the state or when exactly the process will be completed. Says possibly the fall.
Pressed on the initial 21 lottery contestants, Hutchinson says states will be "laser focused" on ensuring applicants are true social equity candidates.
Hutchinson says losing applicants will have ten days to respond after receiving deficiencies.
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