A cannabis company has asked the Illinois Supreme Court to let the state name the winners of new craft grower licenses, citing the mounting costs applicants are paying while judges decide lawsuits over the issue.
In the meantime, many of the other applicants such as 1837 Craft Grow say they have been burning through money, trying to keep rights to property they plan to use if they get licenses. They say they desperately need help. The state ended up delaying issuing the first 40 licenses until July 2021, a year late. Only veteran-led companies got those first licenses, and 1837 was not among them.
“This is a unique situation whereby this court, in compliance with Illinois law, can provide a substantial, tangible benefit to dozens of Illinois craft grow applicants,” Holz wrote, “without creating any corresponding harm to any other parties.” But other applicants also detailed their expenses due to the delays, according to sworn affidavits filed with the motion.
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