The state’s licensing system has come under heavy criticism and litigation for delays, inconsistent scoring of applications, and non-responsiveness to applicants with questions about the process.So most business operators agree there should be one body to issue licenses, set guidelines and mete out discipline, as in most other states that have legalized marijuana. The dispute is over what that single overseer would look like.
On the other side of the argument, members of groups such as the Cannabis Equity IL Coalition, Chicago NORML and the Illinois Independent Craft Growers Association prefer one agency to oversee all aspects of the business, including growers, dispensaries, transporters and infusers. Pam Althoff, head of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, attends a job fair hosted by the association at Oakton Community College in 2019.
The most glaring difference between agencies is that the Illinois Department of Agriculture allows craft growers to sell equity in their licenses at any time, while the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation prohibits dispensary license holders from selling until they have opened for business.