Prairie State Wire

CHICAGO – Today, the Cannabis Regulation Oversight Office (CROO) published the Disparity and Availability Study for adult use cannabis licenses in Illinois. The study found that Illinois currently has the most diverse cannabis industry in the nation. Conducted as required by the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), the study examined 559 adult use cannabis licenses issued by the state to more than 400 businesses from January 1, 2020, through January 31, 2023.

The disparity study revealed that the CRTA effectively resulted in license ownership diversity across various license types. Over the study period, 59% of dispensary licenses were issued to minority- or women-owned businesses, compared to 21% for the medical cannabis market. For all licenses issued by the state, this number increased to 60%. Minority- or women-owned businesses held 63% of craft grower licenses, 61% of infuser licenses, and 74% of transporter licenses. Additionally, nearly 84% of the state's Direct Forgivable Loans went to minority- or women-owned businesses. This independent review indicates that Illinois has the most diverse cannabis industry in the nation.

Since 2023, IDFPR has conducted another Social Equity Criteria Lottery and issued 55 more conditional licenses, all going 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.