Illinois Cannabis Regulatory Overview
On June 25, 2019, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act into law, legislation to make the use of cannabis legal for persons 21 years of age and older and tax and to regulate cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol. Illinois became the 11th state to fully legalize cannabis and the first do so legislatively.
Adult-use sales commenced on January 1, 2020.
Illinois Cannabis License Overview
The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act contemplates a number of types of adult-use cannabis licenses: (1) cultivation centers, (2) craft growers, (3) infuser organizations, (4) processing organizations, (5) transporting organizations, and (6) dispensing organizations. Existing medical cannabis cultivation and dispensing license holders may apply for early approval of adult-use licenses in the same category of operation as their current licensure permits.
Illinois Cannabis Key Regulator
The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act granted the Illinois Department of Agriculture with the authority to administer and enforce laws relating to the oversight and licensing of cultivation centers, craft growers, infuser organizations, transporting organizations and agents of those licensees. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation was granted oversight and licensing authority for Dispensing Organizations, their agents, and agent education providers.
Illinois Cannabis Locality Options
Local communities have the ability under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act to opt-out of permitted legal commercial cannabis activity and to conduct certain aspects of local regulation.