Legal Cannabis: A Year Later

Since Illinois launched recreational marijuana sales a year ago, the number of dispensaries across the state has nearly doubled. When legal recreational marijuana sales began on Jan 1, 2020, there were 43 dispensaries across the state; now there are 78, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Sales of recreational marijuana over the course of the year totaled $1 billion in revenue. The market is expected to grow to $2 to $4 billion-a-year when the number of dispensaries is equal to the demand.  

Under state law, 25% of revenues collected from recreational marijuana sales are slated for communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the justice system. As a result, more than $25 million from cannabis sales are expected to fund organizations that operate in historically underserved Illinois communities.

Despite overall gains, however, some observers believe communities of color have been left behind. State Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) expressed disappointment that Black and Brown communities have not shared in profits. "I believe that the state failed in diversifying, and it's our job now to get it right. And that's what the governor and his team are aiming for," Ford said.

"That has to happen next year. You know, we have to take those social equity applicants, they need to own a piece of this industry moving forward,” said Jason Erkes of Cresco Labs, the first company to have ten marijuana dispensaries across the state.

Find out more!

Democratizing the Green Rush: The Cannabis Industry and Social Equity
Wednesday, January 27, 5:30–7 pm

Joining us to talk racial equity and cannabis, Eddie L. Armstrong III is CEO and Chairman of the Cannabis Capital Group, a consulting and advisory firm focused on the legal cannabis industry. Register >>