Prairie State Wire

The Cannabis Regulation Oversight Office (CROO) has published the Disparity and Availability Study for adult-use cannabis licenses in Illinois, revealing that the state currently boasts the most diverse cannabis industry in the nation. The study, mandated by the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), reviewed 559 adult-use cannabis licenses issued to over 400 businesses from January 1, 2020, through January 31, 2023.

The findings indicate that the CRTA has successfully promoted license ownership diversity across all license types. During the study period, 59% of dispensary licenses were granted to minority- or women-owned businesses, a significant increase compared to 21% in the medical cannabis market. For all licenses issued by the state, this figure rises to 60%. Specifically, minority- or women-owned businesses held 63% of craft grower licenses, 61% of infuser licenses, and 74% of transporter licenses. Furthermore, nearly 84% of the state's Direct Forgivable Loans were allocated to minority- or women-owned businesses. These statistics position Illinois as having the most diverse cannabis industry nationwide.

Since 2023, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has conducted another Social Equity Criteria Lottery and issued an additional 55 conditional licenses exclusively to social equity-designated businesses.

"We’re incredibly proud of our emerging cannabis industry, and we’re fully committed to making this an industry where people most affected by the War on Drugs can start their own business and thrive," said Governor JB Pritzker.